You have a broken 3-4 hub in the transmission. Syncros are famous for this at +/- 150K mi. You'll need to get the tranny rebuilt. Not including R&R (since you might be able to do that yourself), expect to pay minimally $1K + freight, or max of $2.3K for an advance exchange. While you're in there, I'd highly recommend getting a .77 4th gear, and I'd use Redline synthetic oil in it. Before buying, I'd also check the condition of the viscous coupler in the front diff. If the current owner doesn't replace all 4 tires at the same time, it probably needs a rebuild as well. ($1K - $1.5K). The only quick way I know to check is to drain the front diff oil, and if it smells terrible (kind of sulphurous), then the silicone fluid has leaked from the VC, and you need it replaced. If that's the case, remove the drive drain to the front diff until you fix it to prevent additional problems. I had German Transaxle in Bend, OR rebuild my tranny and they were excellent (Portland VW shops all use them, too). http://go.to/gtainc Other list members have used AATransaxle and everyone raves about his skills as well. http://www.aatransaxle.com/ If you can get a Syncro for $1K, even if both the trans & VC need rebuilding, I'd personally do it. I made mine into a Westy minus the poptop. David Jaffe '86 Syncro West'faux'lia
-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of Matthew Pollard Sent: Monday, October 22, 2001 9:52 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: stuck in 3rd
Why is it that when my bus (and wife's car, and truck) are running awesome all of my friend's rigs bit the bullet? Last week is was my good friend's jetta, and last night it was another good friends syncro... 86 (87?) syncro stuck in 3rd. That is exactly as much as i know. What could it be? And second, how much is a syncro worth with a bad tranny? (If that is what the problem is) Here is my idea. I want a syncro. I can maybe pick it up from my friend for a cheap (1K ?) then just hang on to it until i have the available $ for a tiico and a tranny. I will fund this endevour by -gasp- selling my 84 bus. thanks -Matthew Matthew Pollard "Racing with the wind and flirting with death Dept. Of Chemistry So have a cup of coffee and catch your breath" University of Idaho www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356 |
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