Should i get my transmission flushed or replaced

From my reading of your problem, it looks like you have more of a problem with your transmission than you may think. The fact is that a flush and clean of your transmission will neither do any harm nor will it do much good, either.

From the sound things, it sounds as if your transmission is on its last legs and needs to be replaced with a rebuilt. The cost will be about $3,400 or so.

The reason I think your transmission is gone is simple. The VW is hanging in gear for too long and then going into gear. You also said there’s a fluid leak and there’s a burned smell.

The leak is troubling as it could mean that an input or output shaft bearing is gone and it is leaking transmission fluid. It could also indicate that the gasketing material along the transmission pan is leaking and that the pan cover needs to be cleaned and the gasket material must be replaced. Actually, the leaking pan cover is the lesser of your problems as the output or input shaft problem could indicate that there’s a problem with the shaft itself which means that the transmission will need a tear down and the shafts will have to be repaired or replaced.

You also indicated there was a burned smell which is troubling because it indicates there is overheating going on within the transmission. The overheating is usually caused by metal-on-metal contact within the transmission. If there is metal-on-metal contact then it’s only a matter of time before there is a significant failure within the case itself.

The reason you are smelling something is burned it because the fluid itself is organic and will burn when it is heated. When it is heated, by the way, it loses not only its viscosity, but also its lubricating and heat-carrying capacity. When that happens, it usually means there is more damage being caused because the fluid is no longer doing its job.

However, you look at it, your only move, at this point, is a rebuilt transmission.