Have to concur here on the bleeding. Picked up my Vanagon from the VW dealer's
yesterday. I'd brought it in for them to investigate a problem where the clutch
would sometimes not completely disengage (you'd feel some kind of bucking when
standing at a light with 1st gear engaged), and it also chattered most of the
time when driving off (unless taking it very slowly).

I thought I'd be in for a new clutch, resurfacing of the flywheel, new top
bearing (is it called that in English, too?) or any of the above.

They just bled the clutch and now it's fine. A non-VW garage recently refreshed
the brake fluid and apparently they didn't bleed the clutch ok. On a side note:
I asked the VW dealer's to fill the tranny with synthetic oil but they wouldn't
do it. They just use minerals, and even then they were reluctant to change the
gear oil "as it's not necessary"!

Guess I'll do the drain and fill myself. Anyone ever done this on a 5speed
diesel transmission? Pitfalls? I think I know which orifices to use, but what's
the best way to get the stuff from the can into the van? Thanks for any help.

Regards,
Robin
90 Vanagon Westfalia Atlantic TD

Gary Stearns wrote:

> Could be clutch internals, but I doubt it.  More likely a failing motor
> mount or air in the clutch hydraulics.  Check the mount at the front of the
> transmission for tears or collapse of the rubber and bleed the clutch at the
> slave cylinder.   I've also noticed that if my engine tuning is not spot-on,
> a little stumble when releasing the clutch will sometimes initiate the
> clutch chatter.
>
> Good Luck.
>
> Gary
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: jay m. <jayshark@ARACNET.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 8:40 PM
> Subject: 90 GL - chattering in reverse
>
> > Huh.  After replacing the entire clutch assembly and having the engine
> > rebuilt (all within the past three months) I didn't think I'd have
> > anything to worry about for a while.
> >
> > So I noticed twice today that I was getting some pretty serious
> > chattering/stuttering when I tried to drive in reverse.  No problems
> > moving forward in any gear.  Ideas?  Should I provide more clues?
> >
> > --Jay
> > Portland, OR
> >

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