Date:         Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:17:20 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanablog  (help)
In-Reply-To:  <01e201cb234a$4a3c02b0$deb40810$@com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I would recommend against replacing just the automatic section.  If he did
fry the inners of the automatic, there will be plenty a crap circulating in
the system, including inside the torque converter.  A lot of that crap will
end of inside the rebuilt transmission if he doesn't replace the torque
converter as well.  Additionally, I doubt if any reputable rebuilder would
warranty the transmission without replacing the torque converter.  Reminds
me of a quote from my Father: "It's like washing your feet and then putting
your dirty socks back on."

Cheers,

Jeff


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Robert Fisher
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 4:47 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Vanablog (help)

Classic symptoms of forward clutch failure, which will require a rebuild. In
his position (given that he has/can get the money to do it), I'd get a
rebuilt auto section from German Transaxle and try to find somebody locally
to install it. The actual R&R of the auto section isn't that big of a deal;
I'd think that finding somebody that could/would do a competent rebuild in
that area would be much more difficult, and then you'd have the warranty
issue.

German Transaxle is about 450 miles from where he is, so hopefully shipping
wouldn't be that expensive. I'd think I could get back on the road for
around a grand (rebuilt transmission, shipping two ways [for the core] and
labor for the swap). Anybody have the book numbers for the labor?

Good luck,
Robert


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
RobT
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:10 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Vanablog (help)

Hi Folks

I've been off of this list for a few years but wanted to join again to share
my nephew's blog with you.

He has recently received his phD in English and has decided to take a
"learning trip" across North America for a year in a new to him 1987
Westfalia automatic.

Seth and his partner Micah started from Sebastopol CA and have traveled
north through Oregon, Washington, and parts of BC and are now making there
way back south to Boulder so that Micah can continue her education at CU.
Then parts unknown for Seth....

My original intention was only to turn you on to my nephew's blog but as
fate would have it he has at the same time as this posting had an unexpected
breakdown in Hailey Idaho.

He says that suddenly "the van won't move anymore" .....It won't move in
D....I had him put it in R and it moved, then L and it moved but he says it
struggles. I had him check the fluid level and it's good.

If anyone can help...please, I don't know automatics.

His name is Seth  707-416-5131
sebtownsage@yahoo.com

His blog:

http://vwvanplan.blogspot.com/


Thank You

Rob