Date:         Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:08:26 -0400
Reply-To:     Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jack R <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: clutch chatter fixed, thanks
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
In-Reply-To:  <20140416232306.6SSBP.316403.imail@eastrmwml213>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

mcneely,

Been there... done that!!! 

My seal failed after blast media migrated into the housing following my repainting job a few years back.  That stuff really travels, and messed up the seal, which resulted in clutch failure and full replacement.  Make sure the inspection port on top of the motor, on the driver's side is covered, to avoid crap getting into the housing.  Also, the synco-transmissions had sealant installed around the entire housing to keep water out... not a bad idea to seal it for dirt too.  The failed main shaft seal was probably due to dirt getting in there.  An ounce of prevention, may provide years of life for your new clutch.

Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie, with 2.1L
N. of Detroit


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 11:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: clutch chatter fixed, thanks

Thanks to everyone who provided information and advice concerning the clutch chatter I was experiencing with my 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile with manual transmission and 2.1 liter waterboxer.

Thanks to Darrell Cook, whose shop in Norman, Oklahoma is listed in the Road Haus shop list, I now have a new, smooth as butter clutch.  I got the needed parts from Bus Depot.  The problem was that the main shaft seal on the transmission had failed, bathing the clutch with 90W gear oil.  The pilot bearing had also partially seized, perhaps because the felt seal had disintegrated, allowing crud into the bearing.  The van, with 174k miles, had the original clutch, at least the clutch plate and the pressure plate had VW/Audi marks on them, and Darrell said they were original.  Even so, there was some material left on the clutch plate, which was chattering mainly due to the oil on it.  The original fork (yoke, whatever) was still perfectly sound, as Darrell said it likely would be, as his experience is that this part wears little on the later model Vanagons.  While there, Darrell also installed a new flywheel seal and o-ring, which had seen better days, with some seapage, though not the cause of the clutch being oiled.

Thanks again to everyone.

mcneely