Date:         Wed, 20 Dec 2006 08:54:58 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Automatic Westy's vs Manual Westy's - two wheel
In-Reply-To:  <410-220061232015388780@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

I think you think you left the 1 off the front of those mile numbers.
Plenty of manuals exceed 150,000 miles without failure and I have owned
a few. I bought an 87 recently that had 240,000 on the original 4 speed.
It came with all service records from new as well as the window sticker.
A very thick stack of repairs, new engine way back and new head gaskets
after that. No tranny repairs, no clutch repairs other than when the new
engine was put in.

I bought it for parts with supposedly a bad tranny since you could put
it in any gear, let the clutch out and nothing but bad noises happened.
When I took the engine out I found the clutch disc all broken up and
shredded, pouring out in a pile when I pulled the pressure plate off.
Now I have to wonder if the tranny is still good.

Mark

Jeff Stewart wrote:

> I've owned both as well... The 4 speed is also equipped with a trailer
> hitch that the PO obviously used, to tow what I have no idea. Since it has
> 110,000 miles on it, and from everything I've read the 3-4 gear problems
> usually show up at around 70-80K miles, I'm hoping mine has already had
> this problem fixed. But, since the PO is deceased, I doubt I'll ever know
> for sure-unless mine fails.      Jeff
>
> Jeff Stewart
> fonman4277@earthlink.net
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vwcampersmidatlantic/
>