Tom-

Just had a similar situation.  Was worse in colder weather where I even
had to stall the van at stop lights.  Then it was ok for a few days.
Never found a leak at the master or slave cylinder.

I just replaced the slave cylinder, took about half an hour, and all is
fine now.  Next to change the tranny oil.

Good luck.

Brad W.

"Carrington, Tom" wrote:
>
> Yeah, I was wondering of the possibility of the pilot bearing seizing up on
> the input shaft. A few times with the clutch on the floor but still acting
> engaged, it would suddenly "break free" without any further pumping of the
> clutch pedal.
>
> Hmmmmm.......
>
> TomC
> tcarrington@relitech.com
> http://volksweb.relitech.com
> 85 Vanagon Crew Cab
> 82 Westy diesel=>gas conversion
> 65 Notchback
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Karl Mullendore [SMTP:thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM]
> > Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 1:59 PM
> > To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject:      Re: Clutch diagnosis/opinions please!
> >
> > Tom,
> >
> > If the pedal is 'full' with little freeplay, then it sounds most likely to
> > be the pilot bearing that is going south. If there is a lot of freeplay,
> > then the problem is in the hydraulic system.
> >
> > Karl M
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Carrington, Tom <tcarrington@RELITECH.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 1:11 PM
> > Subject: Clutch diagnosis/opinions please!
> >
> >
> > > My Crew Cab is having clutch problems. When I press on the clutch, it
> > does
> > > not totally disengage. If I am stopped at a light, I have to turn off
> > the
> > > engine to get it back into 1st. There are no visible leaks on either the
> > > master or slave cylinders, and the fluid level has not dropped at all.
> > When
> > > a helper pushes on the clutch pedal, the slave actuates and moves the
> > lever,
> > > but I'm not sure how far it has to go for complete disengagement. And I
> > > can't look at the '82 as an example since the clutch master failed on
> > that
> > > one last week...probably due to the cold temps we are having. I'm
> > wondering
> > > what to do.....
> > >
> > > I could try to bleed the system to see if it helps. Although i find it
> > hard
> > > to believe that air is in there without a leak or having opened the
> > system.
> > >
> > > I could pull the tranny, and replace the clutch pressure plate, disc,
> > t/o
> > > bearing and cross shaft (I have all the parts already since I have
> > planned
> > > on doing the clutch sometime). If that is the concensus, I'll have to
> > park
> > > the crew until March or April. I'm too busy rennovating my house to stop
> > and
> > > do a big project like that...take a look at
> > > http://www.relitech.com/tomc/house to see what I mean!
> > >
> > > Or I could replace both the master and slave cylinders. Only takes an
> > hour
> > > and costs $100 for the parts. Maybe it will help, maybe not.
> > >
> > > Any other ideas?
> > >
> > > TomC
> > > tcarrington@relitech.com
> > > http://volksweb.relitech.com
> > > 85 Vanagon Crew Cab
> > > 82 Westy diesel=>gas conversion
> > > 65 Notchback