Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 19:10:24 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Will the clutch survive the trip on 89 Westy?
In-Reply-To: <12d.3f41b05b.2db56d3b@aol.com>
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Dan,
Given the mileage on the van, it could be any number of things, but ten
to one, it's the clutch seal that is slowly giving up the ghost and is
letting a little oil get out and onto the flywheel and clutch disc. I've
been there with that problem.
I had an '85 GL before I got my current 88 GL, and that 85 GL had
205,000 miles on it with no clutch problems. So they can go the distance
fwithout trouble. However, if that rear seal leaks even a tiny bit, and
oil gets on the clutch disc, shuddering WILL occur. Engines mounts will
be mentioned as a possible source of the problem, but I still would
place my bets on oil on the clutch disc and flywheel.
At 149,000 miles, all things being equal, you should get a lot more
miles of driving pleasure, provided it's not spoiled by a major clutch
problem along the way. Were I you, I would not make the trip without
doing the clutch first. That way, you are reasonably sure of no big
mechanical problems on the trip. Or at least the one big potential
threat has been eliminated. Safety of my family, and peace of mind on
the trip, especially since you are going over some high country and big
mountains, would be big parts of my decision.
If you do a clutch job, be sure and have the clutch plate machined
smooth before re-installation. I would get a complete clutch kit from
one of our list vendors. I use Ken Wilford at Vanagain.Com and Ron
Salmon at Bus Depot as my parts sources most of the time. The others may
be equally as good. I just have had good service from those two guys.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
-- Dan Roberts wrote:
>I'm in Wisconsin and will be traveling to Portand, then to various parts in
>the NW. My Westy (ENU) is running great despite 149,000 original miles. The
>engine uses a little oil but I seem to have stabilized oil usage and, again, it
>runs very well. No blue smoke, decent pickup, climbs hills without complaint
>and has never broken down during its 11 months with me. However, the clutch has
>been shuddering occassionally for about 6 months. It too is original. I will
>eventually replace it but wonder if I can expect to make this next trip (about
>6,500 miles total) or might put the clutch out of commission and me possibly
>in the middle of nowhere.
>
>Note that I have not had to double clutch and experience no loss of power due
>to the clutch. So, am I reasonable safe for another 6,500 miles or should I
>sell my soul and hire a clutch job? Doing it myself is probably out of the
>question until I have more experience.
>
>Your comments will, as always, be most helpful.
>
>Dan Roberts
>
>
>
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