Bongo Fury

Hi folks. The Bongo (2.5 TDI) starting behaving a bit weirdly a few days ago, revving up just fine but van accelerating very slowly from a standing start. It gets moving eventually but feels like a slipping clutch might do on a manual. When it gets up to speed seems to be just fine, changing gear normally etc.

I read another thread on here with similar symptoms that suggested checking ATF level. I've just done that (with engine running and gear lever in 'P' which YouTube recommended) and nothing at all registering on the dipstick. When I first took the dipstick out there was a little amount of fluid at the very end but quite grimy, but nothing after cleaning and re-inserting. So it looks like I've lost my ATF for some reason.

Two questions:

1) Is it worth me trying to top it up, or should I just get it into the garage and get them to find the source of the problem?
2) Is there any danger driving it short distances? Am I likely to cause any damage to anything?

Thanks in advance as always.

I would advise you to add enough fluid to bring up to mark, if this eliminates the problem you know the box is probably ok. Then you can proceed with the inspection and fluid and filter change as required.

Seems eminently sensible, thank you.

Update: took more than 4 litres of ATF to bring it back up to the correct level, then while running the engine I noticed a pool of fluid building up on the ground just behind the driver's door. Further investigation showed a very corroded looking thin metal pipe just behind the right cill dripping red fluid.

So I'm guessing that's all it is — into the garage next week.

Bad luck, but looks like you’ve found it.