Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:16:19 -0800
Reply-To: Mike Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Nearly Dry Differential
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Hi, it's been quite a while since I've contributed much to the online
chatter here. Been real busy since August when we all moved from SoCal
to Bend, OR. Moving, setting up the business here, helping Mrs Squirrel
with remodeling the house, etc., etc., all outweighed matters Vanagonish
in my head.
But several people have asked for an update. Well, not really several, a
few. Actually, no one has asked. But I'm here anyway.
I took Mellow Yellow to Steve's Place here in Bend last week for
winterization. Thinner oil, new filter, a replacement battery (got a
nice Interstate), a freebie window crank replacement. These are things
that I could do myself if I had more time, but, as I say, other things
are keeping me busy.
While Steve was inspecting Mellow Yellow he pulled the plug on the
differential and found it dry within, at least as far as he could stick
his finger. Called me to tell me about it. There's no trace of a recent
leak on the outside of the housing, and he said that the 17 mm allen
socket was packed with ancient dirt and road funk, so it looked to him
that no one has taken a peek in a long while.
I found that surprising.
I know that I have one of them 17 mm allens, specifically purchased for
Mellow Yellow maintenance, and while I don't recall checking the lube
level in the differential, I am not sure why else I would have purchased
the tool. I did work on the transmission a few years ago, it was badly
in need of cleaning and I pulled the cover and flushed things out and
cleaned the filter and put in new ATF -- all the stuff in the Bentley's,
so maybe I needed that 17 mm allen then.
Why I didn't look inside the differential is a mystery. As to why the
guys at Hugo's Foreign Car in Encinitas apparently never looked (despite
my having taken the van to them a few times, with requests for serious
inspections of hoses, fluids, belts, wiring, etc.) is less of a mystery,
I suppose. They were the best shop I could find, and they did do needed
repairs and troubleshooting quite nicely. Still, they should-a looked,
but apparently didn't.
I'm thankful that Steve bothered. He said the differential sounded fine,
re-lubed it and I reckon that's one more part that has been attended to
before failure.
So Mellow Yellow, shod in new Nokian Hakkapeliitta CS shoes, drinking
water tank and lines drained, is ready for the winter.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
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