Date:         Thu, 19 Dec 1996 18:13:36 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Scott <austins@ix.netcom.com>
Subject:      Re: Silicone Syncro Oil Source *maybe*

At 10:35 AM 12/19/96 -0600, you wrote:
>In a message dated 96-12-18 15:32:31 EST, -@--.-- (Rocko Flamefart) writes:
>
>> Silicone Brake Fluid.
>>  
>>  huh?  ya think?  maybe this is an industry secret, the great Parts
>>  Conspiracy.  sell customers a $3000 fluid coupling when all it needs it a
>>  change of $20 worth of silicone brake fluid.  whose willing to try on
>their
>>  trashed unit?
>
>While admittedly possible, I'd evaluate the chances of this as very, very
>slim.  I've never heard of silicon brake fluid having a characteristic of
>gelling (or otherwise increasing its viscosity) when subjected to shear
>stresses.  I would NOT encourage anyone to experiment with this in their
>Syncro.
>
>Regards,
>Jim Davis
>87 GL Syncro
>88 GL Wolfsburg

Have a new GMC James w/AWD (foolproof for the SO - no levers etc to muck
up), has the same *type* of center transaxle as the Syncros - dealer's
service manager sez "...they're sealed units-we send 'em back to the factory
if they go bad-factory told us never open 'em 'cuz the fluid inside is
incredibly nasty stuff..."  All of which could be pure BS, of course.

Austin