Date:         Wed, 25 Nov 1998 08:17:07 -0500
Reply-To:     "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Anthony L. Mourkas" <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: '85 westy 4th gear sticking and rivet removal
Comments: To: Rik Santos <afn18258@AFN.ORG>,
          Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

>my van is starting to get a little too comfortable with 4th gear.
>meaning, once i shift into fourth, she doesn't want to come out and i've
>got to do a little bit of the one-two to get it into neutral.  i don't
>use much force, but i'm still thinking 'dang'.  this started on a
>highway trip last week and now does it every time i'm over 40mph.  i had
>planned on switching to synthetics this weekend, but don't want to do
>that if there's another problem.  btw, clutch was replaced (by me!) two
>or so months ago.

Rik,

Have you checked the trans fluid level lately?  A friend of mine
experienced the same symptoms this Summer and she found the fluid level
to be "way down".  The fluid level was corrected and the shifting
difficulty disappeared.  I'd also check for new leaks if you haven't
already.  Of course trying the synthetic stuff to assess any improvement
is a lot cheaper than tearing down the trans, unless you feel comfortable
doing that yourself also!

I would also check for proper clutch operation and examine the shift
linkage for binding/misalignment, both of which could possibly cause the
difficulty you describe.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday, under the Vanagon???

Best regards,

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA
1984 Vanagon Westfalia
1990 Passat GL
1991 Jetta Eco Diesel