Date:         Tue, 21 Apr 1998 08:50:06 EDT
Reply-To:     Latchua <Latchua@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Latchua <Latchua@AOL.COM>
Subject:      85 Westfalia Torque Converter Leak
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

My 85 VW Westfalia with automatic transmission is at my local VW dealer where
I took it for a minor transmission leak.  I am now told that there is a
shallow grove worn in the torque converter housing face where the seal fits.
The dealer questions whether smoothing the face (with emery cloth, or the
like) is adviseable, i.e. will the stock replacement seal fit adequately?

Suggestions appreciated.  I have 156,000 miles on the van and have never had
any transmission work done (original owner).  Should I clean up the mating
surface and install a standard torque converter seal?  Is there an oversize
seal?  Should I replace the transmission?  Is there a source of rebuilt
transmissions?  Does only the torque converter casing need to be replaced?
(And can it be?)  Are there specs available so a machine shop can build
up/grind down the mating surface?

For those who deal in parts, would you please let me know prices/availability
along with your suggestions of what to do?

A very sad,
Russ Henderson, PO Box 24117, Oakland Park, FL 33307-4117 (near Ft Lauderdale)