Date:         Wed, 18 Sep 2002 21:57:19 -0700
Reply-To:     warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Syncro bought
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello everyone-
I bought a 1991 Syncro Vanagon, the plain Jane variety. For want  of a 25 dollar part,   the PO sold it- he owned it since it had 3,000 miles, and the clutch was his cue to move on. He bought himself a new SUV.  
I pulled the engine today, and couldn't believe what I saw- the TO bearing fell apart, and all the bearings fell out. The pressure plate ring was badly scored, as was the inside where the bearings ground themselves up -there was no grease in this TO bearing.  
That was it- the loud screeching noise was the bearing. The last repair receipt recommended that the transmission be rebuilt when the clutch was fixed. I am inclined to think that the transmission noise was the TO bearing, and pilot shaft bearing, which is dry. The transmission is quiet when cruising, but very hard to shift and noisy - but then this is now known to be from the TO bearing which was frozen .The pressure plate fingers made a screeching sound when they came into contact with the TO bearing. And, the fingers indented the TO surface till it was impossible to release the clutch. The sound made me cringe.
I am estimating the TO bearing is the original, since the work receipts that date back to 1992 show no record of clutch work. That's 188,000 miles without clutch work.
Heads were done at 136,000. All fluids were changed at the proper mileage intervals.  
New coolant pipes underneath, new clutch master and slave, water pump, and expansion tank. The PO really took good care of this vehicle. He told me he never drove it over 65 mph.  
No work done to the driveline, front diff, or axles. the bearings were all replaced at one time. It is still on the original muffler!
Before the clutch went completely out, I tried the diff lock-it worked. The engine runs well considering it's mileage.  
This is the one with no wing vents and rubber floor mats and the old metal dash- anyone have one?





Robert  


1982 Westfalia
1991 Syncro VanagonHolen Sie mehr aus dem Web. Unter http://explorer.msn.de/intl.asp#de gibt es einen KOSTENLOSEN Download von MSN Explorer.