Date:         Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:59:20 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Transaxle trouble.
In-Reply-To:  <20081214050233.A7C2D375813@mpls-mf-11.inet.qwest.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

> Date:    Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:09:14 -0800
> From:    Luke Bakken <luke.bakken@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Transaxle trouble.
>
> Hello again everyone, an update ...
>
> I just checked the van and found that I can shift into any gear with
> the engine turned off - both with the clutch engaged and disengaged.
> Admittedly, the shifting is not perfectly smooth but it does go into
> gear.
>
> However, when I turn the engine on, I can't get the van to go into any
> gear with the clutch disengaged - I just feel resistance when I push
> the shift handle. No grinding. The clutch itself feels normal - not
> soft or squishy.
>
> I checked the brake fluid reservoir in the dash and the level was
> fine. I also checked for drips under the van and found none.
>
> My newbie-vanagon sense is that this means the clutch is not
> disengaging correctly, right? I should look to see if the master or
> slave clutch cylinder (or both) is bad?
>
> Thanks to everyone who emailed me with stuff to check,
> Luke
>
Luke,

Have you had oil leaking from the front (flywheel) seal area?  I had
this happen on a long trip in my '86 Westy.  The flywheel seal was
leaking and saturated the clutch disk.  Normally, you'd expect it to
slip in such cases, but mine actually swelled up enough that the clutch
would not disengage enough to allow normal shifting.  Made the next 150
miles pretty interesting...

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)

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