Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 05:26:02 +0000
Reply-To: yojak@ATT.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jack Reed <yojak@ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: 84 clutch, etal
Hey Sam,
I did get more detail on the problem since I first posted. She's not much for automotive diagnostics but she did tell me that she's unable to get it into gear at all, just grinds away when she tries. I've asked if this has occured gradually or suddenly but haven't gotten an answer yet. As I said in my original post the mechanic verified that the slave is actuating but then the fork could be bent or broken, as I encountered on another van.
I agree that the mechanic could be talking up the job but he seems pretty straight and I've got about 35 years of dealing with mechanics under my belt, so I have a sense when someone's trying to shaft me.
I "could" drive the van to Colorado without a clutch at all, I've driven Rabbits with snapped clutch cables in the past, but probably won't opt for that route given the distances involved. It's worth the $500 to me not to put the van through all the wear and tear of having to manually syncronize the gears. Plus it's just so embarassing when the van bucks and jumps when you take off from a light by having to start the motor.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Jack
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@verizon.net>
> I think you need to give a more clear statement of the problem to the list.
>
> What does it mean to say "she is starting to have problems engaging the
> clutch?" Without more, that sounds more like hydraulics to me. How
> does clutch pedal travel relate to when she can and can't shift
> properly, is it particular to certain gears, are there any odd noises,
> gear crunch and otherwise that are heard when she is trying to shift.
> Does it happen all the time or just when she is first driving the car
> and get better after she has driven a while?
>
> You don't want to pay for that large job if indeed it is bad slave
> cylinder or just the need for a bleed job. Yeah, I read what the
> mechanic said. But, we are often reading about people who get told they
> need lots of repairs when it is really something simple.
>
> Not saying that all mechanics do this, but . . .enough do, or aren't
> knowledgeable enough to make a proper diagnosis.
>
> On the other hand if the precise description involves certain factors,
> it isn't the clutch but could be worse, i.e., the tranny itself.
>
> If the clutch is just starting to be a bit iffy, you probably could
> drive it to CO more easily and cheaper than shipping it, if she stops
> driving it and doesn't wear it out more.
>
> Sam
>
> --
> Sam Walters
>
> Baltimore, MD
>
>
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