Date:         Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:04:22 -0800
Reply-To:     Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      AT trans on the way out?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Howdy - I have a '91 w/ AT, 189k miles. No records from P.O., so do
not know mechanical history of the vehicle. Purchased last summer;
approx 5k miles added. Last Fall, I had a shop change the AT fluid
and filter.

Everything seemed okay until last week when my wife said it was
having trouble on hills. So, I drove it a bit and it is slow to come
up to speed and does not shift crisply. At this time I do not suspect
engine compression - ran a check last Summer:  135/135/120/135 - I
know, not great, but not catastrophic. It does not burn oil, but the
oil looks dark even after a change out.

Other symptoms. The Tach shows engine revs coming up immediately, but
vehicle speed lagging. After 15 minutes warm-up, the lag to final
speed is not as pronounced. Seems like it will not run over 65 mph.

Checked AT fluid level - okay, not cloudy, still red. BTW, how
serious is an overfill?

So, does this sound like a common AT problem? If so, is it
repairable? At what cost? Better just to throw in the towel and
replace w/ rebuild? GoWesty rebuilds OK?


Many Thanks,
Ron Johnson
PDX, OR
'91 Weekender, Orly Blue, "Betty"