Joe,
It looks like your trans cooler busted and tranny needs to be serviced.
I hope i am wrong but if that fluid smells like coolant ...If this is
the case geet rid of that crappy cooler and install a good aftermarket
AT cooler like "supercooler"(i bought from Carparts.com).
Leon
85 Subwagen Westy

moonwoodfreeze wrote:

>  I have a 1986 vanagon gl. For a few months now, the automatic
> transmission has been acting a bit wierd: sticking, not shifting
> properly , etc. but once it gets past going it'll drive fine, just not
> so great stopping and starting. now , yesterday the van will hard ly
> drive forward, but in reverse fine. I checked the tranny fluid and
> it's brownish red and very watery. i'm planning on draining the fluid
> out and renewing it. can anybody shine a light on the situation at
> hand? Thanks,Joe

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