VAG auto tranny fluid?

[tim-d]

I've been suffering a mysterious ATF leak on my 98 Polo for a while now (few drips daily) and had the distinct impression it wasn't happy so this morning set to to try & remedy however despite assertions of the gearbox is sealed for life (yeah right - shouldn't leak then)tried to find suitable fluid - this is supposed to be VW ATF G 052 990 A2 - so unable to find anything listed at local motor factor had to trog off to VW main dealer - "yessir you'll need 5.7 litres - that'll be £103 inc vat" - now Im naive but not insane - bearing in mind trusty Haynes lists 3l - popped down to local gearbox specialist - "yep £2.50 a litre" "what is it?" I ask "oh Dexron III" - I've duly replaced fluid with that, and I think I've found cause of leak - 2 sheared off tranny sump bolts (remaining ones done up way too tight), hardly any gasket goo and a dirty great burr in the sump - measured fliud out at 2.9l all chuffed with myself and car going like a charm (until it leaks again) but out of paranoia was Dexron 3 the right fluid??? - if so how on earth to VAG sleep at night?

[dain bramaged]

the reason that they say the gearbox is sealed for life on your vw is that it does not need to be mantained like other auto gear boxies and it runs on long life gear oil hence why is so expensive and the term sealed as it's not normally changed for the life of the gearbox, and the extra amount they would of sold you was probably to fill the torqe converter as well, dextron 3 oil should be ok but you might have to change it more often