Date:         Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:51:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Need good Westy Auto Trans shop in SE Michigan
In-Reply-To:  <517d307c.c823310a.0b95.5f14@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The reason for the post was that our friends tried a local transmission
shop, which installed the cooler, and we even gave them the specifics of the
GoWesty right-up as well as a seal we purchased.
The transmission shop said there was no problem... this was last fall.  This
spring, on the road trip from Detroit to Chicago and Back (900 miles), it
used 1 quart of automatic transmission fluid.
Hence... we need a specialist!!!

I did receive two excellent suggestions, thanks to the list, and we will
proceed.

Stay tuned for the posting of the results in the next two weeks!

Jack R.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Edward Maglott
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2013 10:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Need good Westy Auto Trans shop in SE Michigan

I agree.  It's a simple transmission but there are critical details that a
generalist might not know about.  Like the seals with the bumps that Dennis
mentioned.  I had the local shop that everybody said was the best in town do
mine and it turned into a 4-5 month saga of him supposedly not being able to
find the parts and various other problems.  I think the main problem was in
the valvebody and he could not straighten it out or find parts for it
through all his usual sources.  German transaxle rebuilds the valvebodies
and has a rig to test them before installation or sale.  Finally I basically
told him to order a valvebody from German Transaxle so I could get my van
back in working order.  He never said if he did, but the next time I got my
van back it was fine.  If I had it to do over, I'd send mine to GT for
rebuild or do their "core swap" plan.

Edward


At 07:49 AM 4/28/2013, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote:
>My opinion on this is that you should definitely seek a specialist that
>has done many of these.  I have seen the work that local "Auto Trans"
>specialists do and it ain't pretty unless they have a history of doing
>VW transmissions.  Usually they will be up front with you and tell you
>either that they won't work on VW transmissions or that they never have
before.
>That is your cue to run for the door.  Yes this trans isn't anything
>that special, and yes it isn't as complicated as other transmission out
>there in newer cars.  However, an experienced specialist has learned
>many things the hard way (failures) that a person new to the
>transmission hasn't.  Do you want to pay them to learn on your van?  I
>wouldn't.  I usually just use German Transaxle.  They have the parts
>supply chain and the experience to get the job done right.  The the
>completely rebuilt unit, put it in and move on with your life.
>Removing and replacing the auto trans is something that isn't difficult
>and pretty much any competent shop or skilled lay person can do.  Leave the
rebuilding to the specialists.