Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:44:27 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: On the Road Again
In-Reply-To: <53A9AFA6.6060102@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I keep hearing these auto trannys are strong and last a long time. What
typically does them in is leaks, either from the cooler or the seal between
the transmission and the differential. Subaru 2.5s driven hard can overheat
them too. Higher shift points & more power means more stress.
The VW factory authorized shop I use will reseal my transmission, adjust the
slop out of my ring and pinion and refill the diff with synthetic oil for
$500 if I carry it in, which I'm going to do. Someday. I'm also going to
replace the cooler with the one from FAS/Van Café before I do the Subaru
conversion. Someday.
Right now in my '85 with 140k and a tired 1.9 it works fine, though on any
sort of incline I manually raise the 2-3 shift point from 3000 to 4500 rpm
(about 55 mph). That gets my 0-60 time down to about 30 seconds, depending
on the steepness of the hill or on-ramp. I think the old diesels could pass
me.
It's really a clutchless manual transmission much of the time. I'm hoping
the Subaru engine will change that to some degree.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
JRodgers
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2014 10:05 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: On the Road Again
I got a '91 Carat that had been stored in a garage for about 10 years.
This - I stored it for about 5 years. Yesterday - as owner - I drove it on
the highway for the first time ever and it handled and drove oh-so-sweet!!
However - needless to say there are things to be done after siting for near
15 years.
I was told the transmission was bad, from the get-go so I moved it to Jim's
VW in Leeds, Alabama for a tranny rebuild and some cleanup on the engine.
Jim cleaned it up - got the engine running, rebuilt the front brakes, turned
the rotors, and replaced the front wheel bearings. I had him replace all the
fuel hoses while he was in there. He test drove it - then called me to come
and get it. Said there was nothing wrong with the automatic transmission
except it needed servicing - which he did. I was prepared for the worst -
but that saved me a bunch of money!
Kudos to Jim Connel at Jim's VW in Leeds, AL.
I drove the van home, and the list making began. Things that needed doing.
Wiper arms missing - Replace (get from Jim's - which I did) New Wiper blades
New Gas Cap Tail Lights/Brake Lights stay on all the time Passenger Door all
apart.
Passenger electric window inoperative
Passenger electric door lock in operative.
Passenger door panel missing
Brake pedal a bit soft - needs checking out Brake pedal goes pretty low -
needs checking out Front blower inoperative
I'm sure the list will get longer - but these things are where I will start.
In addition - I have headlight relays and an a hard start relay that is
waiting and ready to be installed.
While at Jims - I scored a passenger door panel that is a perfect match for
the drivers side door panel. And - a pair of round headlight mounts
- to be used when I install the new SA Grille.
I'm pretty excited about this one. Never driven an auto-tranny Vanagon - so
if any one has any commentary in that regard it would be most appreciated.
You know, what to expect, how the van will perform, things to watdh out for,
improvements, etc.
And any other comments would also be appreciated.
It's begins!!!
The labor and the fun of it all!
John
