Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 16:02:08 -0800
Reply-To: Aristotle Sagan <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Aristotle Sagan <killer_jupiter@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: On the Road home and need help getting there!
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
M,
The brakes will be good. The system takes the clutch fluid off the top of
the resevior, the brakes from the bottom. Clever Germans.
If you don't see a leak, there probably isn't one.
I think I bled the brakes on my 84 with a 2x4 between the seat pedestle and
the clutch pedal. Check level of fluid, press clutch and keep depressed with
2x4. Go back and loosen bleed valve, let bleed and then tighten... let
clutch pedal up. Repeat sequence, including checking level. Best of luck.
BTW, is there an adjustment for the slave to clutch arm? Perhaps that is
marginal and just a little out of adjustment?
tim o'brien
(nothing near as exotic as a diesel twin)
(84 WB)
(83 AC)
(81 Westy)
>Volks:
>
>This is not as bad as Theresa's story (although the Reinhardt name has got
>me
>worried!)
>
>Ok, I picked up my newly acquired Diesel Double Cab in San Antonio on
>Saturday
>(I have really gone way over the Vanagon Nut edge - 3 different Vanagon
>Diesels?) I have made it to Nashville today (Tuesday) on my way back to
>New
>England (1100 more miles). Gotta be there by Friday evening for my son's
>football game. I'm making good time, travelling an average of 58 mph. The
>1.6L NA is doing fine (of course, I haven't hit the mountains in VA yet.)
>
>I spent all day Sunday in TX checking the vehicle over for the trip. I
>found
>the brake fluid reservoir was low. Brakes and clutch felt fine. I added
>DOT 4
>to a level between the indicated min and max. Everything's ok ... so I
>left
>yesterday (Monday).
>
>About 100 miles ago (I've traveled 900 by this point), I pull into an Exxon
>to
>fill up (first two tanks full have gotten me 30+ mpg!) I coast to a stop
>with
>the clutch in and then just as I apply the brakes for the final stop
>(clutch
>still in) it feels like the clutch engages as I hit the brakes (clutch
>grab).
> I don't think much of it. Fill up and ready to go.
>
>I start up and push in the clutch to get into first. The pedal seems
>pretty
>easy to push (more than I remember) and then the clutch seems to release
>very
>quickly as I pull out. I then have a small amount of difficulty getting
>into
>second gear, but no trouble with 3rd or 4th and I am on my way.
>
>Next stop (20 miles ago) I pay closer attention and it seems the clutch is
>not
>completely disengaging as I shift in reverse, first or second. I pulled
>off
>the instrument cover and the brake fluid reservoir seems to be at the right
>level. I'm a little worried, as tomorrow I will hit the smokies and blue
>ridge
>mountains of I-40 and I-81.
>
>Question: does it sound like my clutch slave cylinder needs to be bled?
>If
>so, must I have a partner to do this? What steps do I take (is it like the
>pedal pushing brake bleed)? Or does it mean that my slave cylinder is bad?
> I've checked for leaks, but see no evidence. The brakes are still good.
>Is
>it possible the clutch is the problem (no slipping noticed)?
>
>Any helpful advice will be appreciated. I have a hotel room for the night
>and
>some dark hours to contemplate. Thanks.
>
>Maynard Southard (OvO) '79
>'86 Diesel Double Cab "Col. Potter"
>'82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"
>'82 Vanagon GL Diesel "Sluggo"
>'93 EV GL "Klinger"
>'00 Golf GLS TDI "WooHoo"
>'84 Jetta GL TD "Donor"
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