Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 00:10:20 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Still frustrated with clutch problem (87 Westy Syncro)
The fact that the problem occurs after a run in fourth gear indicates a
cracked 4th gear or the 3-4 slider hub. This is how they often die. At
some point the thing may jam in 3rd or 4th gear even if the shifter makes it
to neutral. If you go for 1st or second in this condition either the Trans
will grind or the wheels will lock solid. This happened to me. You'd be
surprised how fast a Syncro stops when all the wheels try to lock. Luckily
I was going fairly slow. Left it in neutral and drove home jammed in 4th.
If the clutch is absolutely good, then start saving your money for a
transmission repair.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: thetrans <thetrans@INAME.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, May 17, 1998 10:27 PM
Subject: Still frustrated with clutch problem (87 Westy Syncro)
>First, let me thank all who have offered advice to date. I appreciate your
>time and patience with my problems. I feel so frustrated, having a
>wonderful Westy, with 2 kids just rarin to go camping, and I can't drive
>this thing more than a few miles without the clutch problem kicking in...
>
>Recap:
>
>Clutch refuses to disengage when shifting. Seems to happen somewhat
>intermitantly, but almost guaranteed to happen at least once during any
>driving outing. Great example: Spent 8 hours today, changing all gear oil,
>engine oil, and other maintenance tasks. Checked master and slave cylinders
>by bleeding line oil (opened slave nipple with clutch pedal depressed..
>repeated twice). Took the van out for a spin, shifted like butter. Drove 10
>miles or so cycling from 1st through 3rd primarily. Came back on a big
>road, hit it into fourth.. still no problem.. came to a turn and went to
>downshift into third, and no clutch release.. had to coast to a stop,
>jiggle shift lever, pump clutch, etc..kicked back into gear. Went a few
>more miles, in third, downshift to 2nd for turn, happens again. Then clean
>sailing all the way back home 2nd & 3rd gear. I seem to be hitting a
>pattern.. everytime I pop into fourth and then downshift problem occurs...
>maybe a pattern..I'm so damned tired and confused....
>
>Suspects:
>
>Master/Slave - I did the line test. When the clutch was depressed, a
>healthy stream of fluid came out. Repeated twice, same result. Could air
>still be getting into the system somehow? Any other tests I should perform?
>No leaking fluid anywhere that I can see...
>
>Shifter linkages - I didn't pull the spare out and check the front
>bushings, etc. I don't seem to be having a problem with the shifter
>selecting the wrong gear.. revcerse, granny, 1st, 2nd third etc. all seem
>to be in the right spot. Rear bushings, etc. don't seem to be a problem.
>I'd love to find out that this, and not my clutch/tranny is my problem but
>given my experiences so far, I don't believe this is the case... but maybe.
>
>Transmission - the final frontier - Something is wrong with the gears,
>clutch, etc. I have no experience at all w/ VW transmissions, so I can't
>begin to speculate about likely causes. My worst fear is having to drop the
>transmission to fix clutch or tranny parts (both from a time and materials
>cost perspective), but I fear this may be inevitable. Any and all
>speculation and remedies sincerely appreciated.
>
>On a postive note, the engine is running strong and the front syncro
>differential is in great shape. It would be a shame to toss in the towel on
>such a fine vehicle, but I fear I'm getting close to the edge of my
>mechanical abilities (not so much knowledge or desire.. I've worked on cars
>and motorcycles for years in my younger days.. I just don't have the garage
>space and many of the tools needed to do intense work like tranny removals
>& rebuilds).
>
>Again, thanks to all who have waded through my saga before, and again this
>time. I sincerely appreciate the help I have gotten, and without this list
>I would have been sunk by now.
>
>Syncronauts..your help is needed!!
>
>Bill
>87 Westy Syncro
>Princeton NJ area
>
>
>
>
>
>"Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you
>look at it right"
>
>Hunter/Garcia
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