Just a thought, it might be leaking out only when the car is running, not when shut off. I had a similar, though much less severe, issue with this back some time ago. The leak never got bad enough to pursue/track down (this was 8/9 months ago) and I check my fluid often now. I still get unpredictable readings even at full temp and on level ground. The dipstick just doesn't seem to give readable readings--one side of the thing is full halfway up, the other side dry, etc. etc. As long as there's fluid on it within the marks at some point on the dipstick I just go with it....

But yeah, look into the "leak only while driving" issue. Should drive you fairly close to insane trying to determine the source.

JBG

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JBG
1985 TD wagon, 228k
running on grease since 3.07
AUSTIN, TEXAS