Date:         Sun, 15 Apr 2001 14:37:33 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@SLS.BC.CA>
Subject:      Help! Stripped trans oil filler plug!
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Yesterday I drained the tranny oil from our '88 Westy in preparation for
our first outing of the year. Having done this several times before, I
decided not to bother checking to ensure the filler plug could be
removed first...

Today, after several hours, torches, and every implement (including the
*correct* 17mm socket) the ^#&(#($# filler plug will NOT come loose.
Since it is aluminum it now of course, trashed.

Not a good start to the season so far. At this point I think only two
choices remain:

1. Drop the tranny so I can use even more brute force on the (*#&$(#$
plug, perhaps destroying the entire newly rebuilt tranny in the process.

2. Find some other orifice through which I can pour my 3 litres of
Amsoil synthetic, and try to forget about the horribly mangled plug, as I
should never have to drain it again.

Seeing as I have nearly $2K into this tranny so far (new R&P last year),
I'd rather avoid #1. It appears that the shift shaft cover may be a
possible entry point for new oil. Can anyone tell me if this is correct?
And is it safe to remove the shift shaft cover without messing
something up?

Help, please....!!! :-)

ps: Please cc: to me as I'm not on list at the moment.

Thanks.
Shawn Wright, I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School
swright@SLS.bc.ca
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
http://www.sls.bc.ca