Mike,

You can shift, up and down, with out disengaging the clutch by matching the
engine RPM.  Raise the engine rpm to where it would have been in the gear
you are shifting into.  If you do this carefully and apply VERY LIGHT
pressure on the shifter lever, the tranny will slip into the desired gear.
I drove my Beetle like this for a couple of weeks.  I even delivered Pizza
with out a working clutch.

It goes like this:

UPSHIFT:
1.  Start the car in 1st gear.
2.  As you wind it out in 1st, slip the car out of gear.
3.  Gently press the throttle raising the RPM to the level it would have
been in second gear at the speed you traveling.
4.  Gently attempt to shift into second gear.  If it doesn't go, vary your
RPM very slightly.
5.  Repeat 2-4 for next gears.

DOWNSHIFT:

Works the same way, except you may have to raise the RPM a bit more, since
you are going into a lower gear. (Blip the throttle like you normally should
when down shifting)

Remember, be GENTLE or you will break something.

Chris.
'85 Westy.

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Ray <Mike.Ray@MOTIENT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2001 9:39 PM
Subject: Help ASAP, Stranded, Need clutch advise....

> Hi all. I'm 2 hours from home (but at my GF1.0's house with minimal tools
> and no car) Yes! The night before Easter and my `87 Westy has finally
> stranded me. I stopped at a store, came back out, went to put the clutch
in
> and NOTHING! I can't push it in! I got to her house by starting it in 1st
> and not stopping.
>
> I have my Bentley and tomorrow I'll disconnect the slave off of the
> transaxle and see if I can push in the pedal. I don't know, at this point,
> if it's an hydraulic problem or a throwout or flywheel prob. I've been
> working on cars for years but never on my Westy.
>
> Has anyone had this symptom before? Any good leads? I've never seen a
> hydraulic system lock up hard instantly. Looks like only light fluid on
the
> top of the master.
>
> Thanks all and Happy Easter and quick advice would be most appreciated!
>
> Mikey
> `87 Westy
> Temporarily in Harrisonburg, Va