Date:         Thu, 23 Jun 2005 10:36:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: Problem finding a gear 83 Westy
Comments: To: Barb Cotton <cottonscrafts@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20050622212438.2415.qmail@web21325.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Check the simple things first, how's your brake fluid level? If it's low,
top it up and check for leaks in the clutch system *and* the brake system.

A slow leak in the clutch system *could* introduce enough air into the
system to keep the clutch slave from engaging fully when you step on the
pedal. A slow leak in the brake system will show up first as a "no clutch"
condition because the systems share the same hydraulic fluid reservoir, but
the clutch draws it's fluid from a point higher up in the system than the
brakes.

You don't mention any change in pedal feel, so the system is definitely
holding fluid (if it dumps completely, that clutch pedal slams right to the
floor... BTDT), but I wouldn't rule out a slow leak without checking.
Hydraulic lines rust too.

If the hydraulics all check out, then it's time to think about dropping the
tranny.

Tim

At 02:24 PM 6/22/2005 -0700, Barb Cotton wrote:
>Friday when I was running errands in town, I was having trouble finding
>gears when downshifting, shifter just felt stiff, and I thought I needed
>to get that looked at. By the time I got to the grocery store, I almost
>ran into someone because even tho the clutch was all the way in, I was
>still in gear. Got it stopped, restarted, couldn't get it in any gear, it
>just ground. Tried to start it in gear with the clutch in, and it jumped.
>Called my friendly AAA guy, he started it in neutral, couldn't get it in
>gear after starting. Then he started it while in reverse so he could get
>it out of the parking place and onto the truck, and after jerking
>backwards out of the parking space, the clutch, shifter, etc all worked
>fine. He towed it to the shop, and they can't figure out what the problem
>was as now it all works fine. Is there anything I should tell them to look
>for before I take the van home so hopefully it doesn't happen again??
>
>
>Barb
>83 Westy
>
>Never regret.
>If it's good, it's wonderful.
>If it's bad, it's experience.
>Victoria Holt
>
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