Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 10:30:41 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@home.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@home.com>
Subject: Re: Premature Clutch Failure?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Replace your clutch master and slave. The master is probably not
holding enough pressure, but replace both at the same time, they are
cheap and have similar life spans. There is no way you could wear out
the clutch this fast unless you race or start out in third gear all the
time!
Put Red Line MT-90 in the tranny and rebuild it when it starts to make
very slight whining sounds in direct proportion to road speed (pinion
bearing wear), or you start having shifting problems. You will probably
make it past 200k if it hasn't broken by now!
James Sperl wrote:
>
> Vanagon Friends,
> Looks like my clutch went out again tonight, 91 Syncro. That is only 25,000
> miles and less than 2 years since the last one, doesn't that seem too soon.
> I can shift into gears with engine off, no master/slave cylinder leaks.
> Absolutely no warning, started when heading home from work when it seemed a
> little harder to get into second. The first stop sign, it was obviously a
> problem when I couldn't get back into first and clutch barely slowed me
> down. Ended up driving home in first for fear I would get stuck without a
> gear. Almost identical symptoms from two years ago. So...
>
> 1. Thoughts on why the early failure (I have not abused it in any way.)
> Have any of you had similar problems (misery loves company).
> 2. Confirmation of a clutch failure given symptoms?
> 3. Comments/suggestions on work to be done while tranny is out? Tempted to
> do tranny because it does have 155,500 miles on it but it has been running
> so perfectly for so long, hate to bother it (and oh so expensive).
> 4. Anyone interested in installing a new Tii engine (engine runs perfectly
> but... 65000 on new heads) and rebuilt tranny for me?
> 5. Moved here to Dayton OH area two weeks ago, suggestions for now required
> work which I don't have time/capability for. Thanks Frank M. for
> suggestions in Columbus, if I can't find anyone closer, I'll try them.
> 6. Confirmation that it still makes sense to invest 10000 in a 91 Syncro
> Adventurewagon in great condition with no rust?
>
> Thanks for your advice.
>
> Jim
> Fairborn OH
> 91 Syncro (broke)
> 99 TDI NB (still in body shop)
> 99 Diamond Back MBike (current transportation)
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle
'84 Vanagon Westfalia
'65 MGB (Driven since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring)
Assisting on Restoration:
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)
Parts cars:
'68 & '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
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