Date:         Fri, 26 Sep 2003 13:31:32 -0400
Reply-To:     Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marla Stelk <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: AT problems again - Dennis H.?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Thanks for the info. Dennis - it seemed a little fishy to me, too.  Would
you mind if I faxed this to the Transmission shop?  I've invested over $600
into his repairs so far (of his own work, mind you) and if I go to someone
else now, I'll have to pay for the repairs. Unfortunately, money is tight
right now.   So I'd like to try to convince him that he's responsible for
making it right.  Maybe your insight will assist him in his diagnosis or at
least let him know that I'm not going to let him pull the wool over my eyes.
  If it comes down to it, I'll ask for my money back and go to someone else.

Thanks again for your wisdom - glad to hear the Buses by the Buoy was a
success again this year.  Hopefully I'll make it next year!

Peace,
Marla


>From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@optonline.net>
>To: 'Marla Stelk' <mjstelk@HOTMAIL.COM>, vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: RE: AT problems again - Dennis H.?
>Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 18:16:40 -0400
>
>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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