Date:         Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:26:58 -0600
Reply-To:     Peter Lapp <carrothospital@GOOGLEMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Peter Lapp <carrothospital@GOOGLEMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Auto Transmission advice
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTik6LoW1d+U7zirJ=0t3msSfut=E8UZP_14dg967@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Alright, so the results are in. I used some of the Lucas stuff and it seems
to work alright. It definitely shifts a lot better, so that problem is
solved. BUT, it didn't fix the leak. I didn't really expect it to fix the
leak, despite the advertisement, but I was crossing my fingers.
All in all, it's some good stuff, now I just have to find the leak!

My original plan was to add some of the Seafoam before anything, drive it
around, drop the pan and drain everything, and then put it back together
with some Lucas in there. Unfortunately, I didn't get to drop the pan. For
now I just added the Lucas. It was a bit chilly that day and last time I
dropped that pan on a chilly day, the rubber pan seal got hard and shrunk a
little bit. The thing was a PITA to get back on, and I didn't have the time
to fool with that on this day. Next time!

Thanks again for all the help everyone.



-p



On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 4:18 PM, Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@gmail.com>wrote:

> What do you mean by "slipping"? Do you mean that it isn't catching and the
> engine is revving up until it does, or do you mean that it's not shifting or
> has delayed shifting until it warms up? They are two very different issues,
> as you might imagine.
>
> I'm not big on "mechanic in a can" type additives but I and many others
> have used Seafoam Transtune with pretty good results. If you like the Lucas
> that's probably fine as well, but you might try running one of them for
> about 300-500 miles and then doing a filter/fluid change. The kit is less
> than $15 bucks from out vendors iirc. The tranny doesn't have a true filter;
> it's a "strainer", btw, but it can get gunked up over time and your fluid
> can lose its prime properties.
>
> While you're in there it's a good idea to drop the valve body. It's pretty
> straightforward and you'll get a good bit more of the old fluid out that
> way. You can also clean it externally to remove a bunch more of the
> accumulated gunk, especially on its top (you also need to thoroughly clean
> the pan). Alternately you can take it to a shop and have a full flush done
> for between $150-200. In either case I would use synthetic fluid when
> refilling. The tranny is over-sensitive to fluid levels; several of us have
> noticed shifting issues when the level was just outside the marks, either
> high or low. The fluid service may well have never been done, in which case
> you're way overdue.
>
> At 130K you're on the back half of its operating life. Many ppl have
> reported getting 200K or better but that of course depends on use and care.
>
> If you do decide on a rebuild, German Transaxle is the way to go,
> regardless of whether you do it yourself or if you have a shop do it for
> you.
>
> I've had more adventures and misadventures with these trannys than I care
> to recall but I have rebuilt my own, as have a few others on the list. It
> isn't a huge deal for an average driveway mechanic. You could reasonably do
> it in a weekend if you had all the parts in front of you.
>
> If you have any questions feel free to pmail me.
>
> Good luck,
> Robert
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 7:15 AM, Peter Lapp <carrothospital@googlemail.com>wrote:
>
>> Thanks for that advice. It seems like you're almost in the same boat as me
>> in some cases. I've been getting help from our local group for a few
>> things,
>> but I don't think anyone is too excited about working on a transmission. I
>> do have two problems with taking it to someone though. One is that it will
>> mean having to rent a car to get to work, which costs more. Two is that I
>> don't entirely trust the only shop in town that works on these things. He
>> always seems to fix one thing and break another, along with the fact that
>> I
>> got my van back dented last time I brought it to him. The only other
>> decent
>> mechanic is about an hr away, but then I'm also left with finding someone
>> to
>> drive with me and back, and then a rental.
>>
>> All that to say, I was hoping to do it myself so that I could get it done
>> in
>> a weekend (hopefully), and save some bucks. I'm not too keen on doing it,
>> but it wouldn't be the first time.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 6:37 AM, Peter T. Owsianowski <
>> pnoceanwesty@gmail.com
>> > wrote:
>>
>> > HI, Peter:
>> >
>> > Unfortunately for my wallet, I am in the "not much of a mechanic"
>> > category.  That being said, have been hyper-maintaining our buses for
>> going
>> > on 9 years, now.  There are some good garages around Northern Indiana,
>> plus
>> > our little bus community here has provided group wrenching with me
>> relying
>> > on some good advice and help. Always try to get things in order before
>> any
>> > massive breakdown.  The bus will tell you it has a problem if you
>> listen.
>> >
>> > The Transmission on our '87 (Auto) started heavily leaking last Winter
>> > after -14F temps.  I got all the new seals, O-rings, and fluids for the
>> > trans and differential, got the group together and went through the
>> whole
>> > procedure by the book with help from the list. After we buttoned it up,
>> it
>> > leaked worse than before!  And this is a group of Volks that has rebuilt
>> 3
>> > waterboxers, too.  Don't know if we had "bad" gaskets, O-rings or we
>> just
>> > couldn't get it right. So, you might want to get a quote from a local
>> > transmission place getting a check-up and refurb.  I ended up doing that
>> -
>> > cost about $500 to have everything re-sealed and it has been perfect
>> since
>> > April.  Your slipping problem may be different than my leaks, but I
>> think
>> > you get the idea.  Make sure you change out the transmission oil cooler
>> when
>> > you getting that doine.  Those are around $250-300.  Even Muir says he
>> > doesn't mess with Transmissions, maybe you shouldn't either. Just my
>> $.02.
>> >
>> >
>> > Pete
>> > '79 Westy "Aardvark"
>> > '87 Westy "JoesVan"
>> > WWW.Busesbythebeach.com <http://www.busesbythebeach.com/>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 1:18 AM, Peter Lapp <
>> carrothospital@googlemail.com>wrote:
>> >
>> >> Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I may try that Lucas Transmission
>> >> fix
>> >> stuff for now to hold me over a little longer. Like I said before, it's
>> >> not
>> >> too bad yet, and only slips a little bit sometimes, but I know the day
>> is
>> >> coming.
>> >>
>> >> I definitely agree with you, Scott, about taking care of your van and
>> not
>> >> just fixing things when they break. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a
>> >> mechanic and really only find out how to do things when they
>> break(which
>> >> is
>> >> how I've learned nearly all I know about the Vanagon.). I do treat my
>> van
>> >> as
>> >> best as possible and do as much preventive work as I know how to do,
>> but
>> >> without the expertise I'm sure I miss a lot.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks for all the input.
>> >>
>> >> On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 8:34 PM, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > At 04:15 PM 11/3/2010  -0700, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >>  The typical vanagon to me, needs about 300
>> >> >> spots lubricated on it...many of which have never been done since
>> they
>> >> >> built
>> >> >> it in Germany.
>> >> >>
>> >> >
>> >> > How about a list?  Seriously.
>> >> >
>> >> > Yours,
>> >> > David
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Cya,
> Robert
>
> '87 & '86 Auto GLs
>
>