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Date:         Tue, 23 Sep 2003 18:16:40 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: AT problems again - Dennis H.?
Comments: To: Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <Law9-F51j3oqNzSQ9lX000299a8@hotmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello Marla, Sorry you missed Busses by the Buoy this year. It was great. The camping was awesome. And the weather, well, it could not have been better.

Whenever an auto Trans changes its operating characteristics, there is reason for concern. As for fluid "moving around", I sense some denial here. Late engagement or having to rev the engine is usually a sign of low hydraulic oil pressure. This can be caused by a clogged filter or a leak some where on the pressure side. The direct drive drum assembly relies on piston style ring for sealing while it spins on the pump hub. These rings can break due to careless assembly or they may be too brittle (aftermarket crap). The direct drive or reverse/first piston may also be torn or cracked causing another internal leak. A competent trans mechanic can pressure test the system and determine if you have a pump or internal leak problem. Dropping the pan and valve body will allow the trans to be "air checked". That is, applying air pressure to each of the piston ports to determine if there is an internal leak at on of the clutches or the brake band.

I know you spent some money here but this trans is not complicated as far as autos go. You should not be having this much trouble. You need to find someone who knows how to fix it.

Good Luck, Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Marla Stelk Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 10:16 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: AT problems again - Dennis H.?

Hi volks,

Dennis if you're reading this, I met you a couple years ago at Buses by the Buoy (which unfortunately I missed this year), but you had offered some suggestions regarding my transmission and basically saved it from becoming completely fried. I brought it back to the guy who rebuilt it for the previous owner (less than a year before it crapped out) and he repaired it for me and split the bill. About a month later, it started leaking again. So I went back to him and he repaired it again at no cost. Then a week later it started spewing transmission fluid and gear oil out the breather hole on top....and he repaired it again. Evidently the seals he used were bad or something. Now its been about 6 or 7 months and its hesitating when it starts up cold before it goes into gear - only in drive though not in reverse. I have to put the gas pedal down gently a couple of times to coax it into gear. I brought it back to him about a month ago and he said its fine - its not leaking (I knew that) and he said its probably just moving the fluid around somewhere else in the unit before it fills up the gear area (sorry I've forgotten all the technical terms). So my question is this: is this guy just brushing me off because he doesn't want to work on it again or should I not worry about its hesitation? Obviously no one can say for certain, but if anyone has experience on ATs please give me your advice on this - I'm great at replacing seals and hoses, but the real mechanical nitty gritty stuff eludes me.

Thanks! Marla '87 Westy GL "Vana Morrison"

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