Date:         Mon, 1 Dec 1997 20:25:58 -0800
Reply-To:     David Bayer <bayer@SYBASE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         David Bayer <bayer@SYBASE.COM>
Subject:      Running a tranny with plastic bits

Ok, I have been agonizing over dropping the tranny on my syncro as I lost a
little plastic tip of one of those transmission fluid funnels into the tranny.
I have tried sucking the damn thing out by a number of methods and with a
number of different sized tubes but to no avail. Now it may be time to drop the
tranny. I am scared of so because 1) I have never done it, 2) I
don't know much about what is required in the way of height to slide the
tranny out (I don't have a nice lift to move the car up once the tranny is on
the ground), 3) I don't know how much I can flex the engine when removing the
tranny and my engine hanger will only consist of some wire and a bar going
the hatch, 4) how difficult is it to line up the splines on the mainshaft
after getting the tranny back onto the studs from the engine?

While talking to a few mechanics (and a few others) some have suggested
running the tranny with the tip in there. This would be fine if this wasn't
a tranny that I could drain completely and if it didn't have a diff lock (I
am worried about plastic bits causing the locking mechanism to stick - can
anyone tell me if this is a valid worry? Am I missing any other possible
major reasons not to let the clean plastic get chewed up?

does anyone in the bay area have an oroscope I can borrow?

TIA

dave