Date:         Sat, 21 Mar 1998 08:42:54 -0000
Reply-To:     Frank LaHorgue <lahorgue@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Frank LaHorgue <lahorgue@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Clutch Chatter
Comments: To: "vanagon@vanagon.com" <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Justin and Gary

I joined this list just last night, so I may have missed some discussion on
the subject.  Before posting anything, I checked the archives to see if the
subject has been covered. There I found many messages which seemed to show
a pattern -- that the Sachs replacement clutch from Canada is the culprit.

My experience is this:  The first clutch on my 1986 weekender lasted
150,000 miles.  It never chattered once even though the clutch was subject
to heavy abuse.  I towed 1800 pounds of trailer and aircraft around the
western deserts and mountains for years.  The first replacement clutch was
perfect -- no hint of chatter.

At 175,000, my engine developed the dreaded coolant leak syndrome.  I
elected to replace the engine with a factory rebuild from Canada.  We
installed a new clutch with the new engine.  Within 1,000 miles, the clutch
began to chatter once the engine was up to temperature.  After another
15,000 miles of complaints and headscratching, we replaced the clutch
again.  The same pattern has emerged still again.  It is very difficult to
start up in first without a chatter.  It is almost impossible to back up an
even modest incline -- the engine seems it will shake itself out of its
mounts.

I believe my VW dealer has been trying to do a good job, but may lack
information.  Since I can't believe I am the only Vanagon owner with such a
problem, I decided to research the problem on my own.  My service people
now claim they have a second owner with the same problem -- it too has a
recent Canadian rebuilt engine and clutch.

SO, Vanagon Owners ARISE!  If we do have a case here, let's band together
to get some satisfaction -- at least information on how to correct the
problem.  I would appreciate an email from any and all Vanagon owners who
have this problem.  I will use the information to get VW's attention and I
will share my findings with this list.

Thanks again -- Frank LaHorgue    lahorgue@ix.netcom.com