Date:         Tue, 19 Dec 2000 10:56:09 -0500
Reply-To:     Russell_Talbot@MONITOR.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Russell Talbot <Russell_Talbot@MONITOR.COM>
Subject:      Clutch Question
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I am a relatively new entrant to the wonderful world of Vanagons.  After an
exhaustive search for my dream westy, I found a beautiful '85 with less than
60,000 miles this summer and bought it.  It has been making me very happy since
then.

When I bought it, I took it to the only local mechanic (that I've been able to
find) who specializes in Vanagons to check it out.  He agreed that it was in
beautiful shape (part of the reason why I ended up buying it!) but recommended
that I replace the clutch even though it wasn't slipping.  The clutch is
slightly heavy (nothing compared to my '87 Mustang GT, but probably heavier than
most other cars that I've driven).  Since I was low on cash at the time and
since the vehicle was driving well, I didn't do anything about it.

Over new years I'll be going on a bit of a road trip, and figure I should make
sure the van is in good health, so I brought it by the mechanic again and asked
more about why he thought the clutch needed replacing.  Hopefully I can pass on
the jist of what he was saying even though I don't know if I fully understand or
buy it.  He said that when the clutch pedal is pressed, that force pushes
against the driveshaft which is held in place inside the engine block with a
half moon.  This spot is not particularly strong, so the more pressure that is
placed on it, the more likely it is to give out. and wreck all sorts of havoc in
the engine.  The logic, then, is that a very light clutch would put much less
pressure on the driveshaft.  if a clutch is heavy, you have to push harder on
it, and therefore more force is pushing the driveshaft against this half moon
that keeps the driveshaft in the engine block.  So he recommends that I get a
new clutch.  I told him that I would have to think about it.

I've never heard about anything like this before, so I figured I'd run it by all
of you to see if this makes any sense at all....

Here are my questions:
   Does this make sense?  I've never heard of replacing a clutch that was doing
   its job OK, but I understand that the wasserboxer is a unique engine...
   When do most Vanagons need new clutches?  This clutch is 15 years old with
   about 61,000 miles to its name. (I have all the records from the PO and it
   has never had work done on the clutch or transmission.)
   If it is appropriate to get a new clutch, how much should I pay to get it
   done?  This mechanic says that he charges $500-$600 for parts and labor.  Is
   that too much?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!