Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 23:31:26 -0400
Reply-To: lauterba <lauterba@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: lauterba <lauterba@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Auto Trans dilemma
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Ed, I just put a rebuilt engine in my Vanagon. Before the engine
transplant, I had not changed a spark plug myself on the van. Yes, I made
many mistakes in the process and it took much longer and cost more than I
thought it would. Yes, this LIST was key to my success.
If you have good manuals, you are careful, have a clean place to work, and
plenty of time, you should be ale to do it.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Maglott" <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 5:14 PM
Subject: Auto Trans dilemma
> Well, I thought I would get some feedback from the list on the latest in
my
> AT woes.
>
> History: My AT was going bad. I got a spare trans and rebuilt it
> myself. I put it in and immediately had troubles. No shift into 2nd,
then
> it would shift into second, but not well, and never got any 3rd gear.
Also
> leaking at the troque converter seal, which I replaced with the one in the
> rebuild kit. I tried swapping the governor and valve body (separately)
out
> of my original (bad) tranny, but no improvement.
>
> So in frustration I took the van in to a professional transmission rebuild
> place. They quoted me a "very broad ball park figure" of $1200-$1700. I
> suppose that is not an unreasonable amount. For that they will take both
> of my trannies and try to make one good one, and buy whatever other parts
> it needs, and give me a 12month/12k mile warranty (iirc). The appeal of
> this is that if it has trouble, I just take it back to them and they
handle
> the removal, repair and replacement. Option 2 would be to buy a rebuilt
> trans and put it in myself. Seems like I've seen these advertised for
less
> than the $1200-$1700 the trans place quoted me. There I get a warranty,
> but actually using the warranty would be a royal pain. Removing and
> shipping the trans, etc. Option 3 is to get a local used trans and slap
it
> in. cheaper, but what am I getting? Could be just another dog. Option
4,
> continue trying to fix it myself. I am just getting sick of it, and have
> surpassed my level of expertise. I would have to start throwing parts at
> it, and that would be expensive and possibly still not effective.
>
> Anybody been down this road and have any advice for me?
> Edward
>
| 
