Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 00:36:06 -0600
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Auto transmission questions
In-Reply-To: <02c801cf39c5$2e0b5970$8a220c50$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
There comes a point where you just have to ask "Is what I really want a
new vehicle?" Only if you do not want a Vanagon and all that goes with
it - good and bad.
John
On 3/6/2014 11:22 PM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
> Yes, the cheapest Vanagon is always the most expensive. Don't buy this one,
> just keep your '87 Westy going and find a newer second vehicle.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> On Behalf Of Dennis Haynes
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 8:19 PM
>
> At this age and mileage you have to plan on every system will need
> attention. The engine and transmission is at an end of life point and so are
> many of the support systems. If your plan is for a daily driver for your
> wife she will still need another vehicle to cover for when this one is down.
> ATF leaks only occur in one of four places. The governor seal is a common
> one where the ATF is in the differential housing. If leaking at the torque
> converter you probably need the bushing. Leaking from here can have ATF
> sprayed all over the engine bay causing a fire hazard . It also will ruin
> hoses and if getting on the head gaskets over time will kill them also. If
> the tranny has had repeated bought of running dry due to the leaks a rebuild
> may also require pump replacement. The may also be damage from the clutches
> and band slipping. Your symptom #2 is a sign that damage is already
> beginning.
>
> If you not willing to begin in investing on a regular basis don't bother.
> This will become a $10k van doing the work yourself. $15 if all is
> outsourced.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> Hello all.
>
> I'm looking at getting an inexpensive Vanagon Carat ('91 with 175,000 miles,
> original engine and transmission) and have some questions regarding the
> Automatic transmission. I've only dealt with manuals in the past.
>
> The transmission is leaking ATF and the owner keeps filling it when it
> starts shifting poorly. I haven't checked levels on it, but it does a few
> strange things.
>
> 1. It won't start in Park. Assuming this is a simple switch to fix and can
> look that one up in the bentley.
> 2. When I come to a faster stop (not an emergency in any way), when
> reapplying the gas, it doesn't quite engage. It's almost as if it's in
> neutral, then "falls" into gear after a 1/2 second on the gas.
>
> I'll be crawling around underneath a bit more to see if I can find the
> leak(s) this weekend. If there are other common things I should be aware of
> for Automatics, It love to know. I'm trying to figure out if the
> transmission is serviceable as-is, or whether I should figure on fixing it
> now. The van itself is in decent shape but I don't know if it would be worth
> a new transmission, and I'm not sure how hard it would be to seal up the old
> one.
>
> Thanks!
> Aaron
> '87 Westy (manual)
> '91 Carat Automatic??
>
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