Date:         Sun, 23 Sep 2012 11:26:41 -0400
Reply-To:     "aka.bugle" <aka.bugle@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "aka.bugle" <aka.bugle@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Which automatic transaxle (A/T) has the best chance of life
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds139066DB84D8710088E2ABA09F0@phx.gbl>
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the clunk was like this delayed reaction after shifting into reverse.

On Sun, Sep 23, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:

> The clunking noises may indicate a problem in the final drive assembly. The
> no drive after warm up indicates an internal leak problem such as a bad
> piston or accumulator. Does it have reverse?
> Once out and the auto part separated from the final drive overhaul is
> somewhat easy. Regardless of what is wrong the labor is the same. Just the
> parts needed change and on these units if open one up I do the full master
> rebuild with all the clutches, steels, seals, pistons etc. I would also
> consider a rebuilt torque converter since that is where all the wear stuff
> and debris goes due to the centrifugal action. They also do fail.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> aka.bugle
> Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 9:23 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Which automatic transaxle (A/T) has the best chance of life
>
> Hello All,
>   I drove the Van hard last year and the A/T was developing some
> weirdnesses
> (clunking going into reverse, and tempermental about shifting into 3rd)
>   I finally got around to swapping out the A/T with a spare from my parts
> Van (that I recall having no problems with the unit) I put in a new torque
> converter seal, screen, the paper gasket under the screen, and a pan
> gasket.
> The unit was working fine for about a week, short trips, Then I took a trip
> to Quakertown (about 300 miles round trip down the turnpike doing 65+mph)
> The next day, the van started slipping severely in the hills (everywhere
> here!) then refused to catch ANY gear at all. After sitting on the side of
> the road contemplating which towing company to call, I started the van back
> up and NOW it decides to shift fine! ??????????????? I drive about 2 miles
> on the flat, it loses forward motion again. I let it sit for about a half
> an
> hour and try again, thinking if I make it home (about 8
> miles) it'll save me the tow charge and I'll get a little more diagnosis. I
> made it home!
>   The ATF maybe high (I have to check the gear oil to see if its low )
>
> Soooooooo.... Which A/T would you think has the best chance of a simple
> minor repair?
>
>  Also does anyone know what the marks on the atf dipstick mean, in other
> words, when the engine is running, I'm guessing the torque converter is
> full
> and the valve body is just covered ( the reason I ask this, is because, I
> have a Volvo engine in this van, and had to put a minor bend in the atf
> dipstick tube for engine clearances).
>
> --
> Best Regards,
>                           ~david
>
>


--
Best Regards,
                          ~david