Howdy folks,
I just wanted to start by saying hello to the list.  I was on it for a good
part of last year, up until August.
I have an '85 GL name Bessie, and last summer I left Denver for seven weeks
of driving--headed down through Texas into Louisiana, back out to New
Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.  We had a great trip, met tons
of people, saw many Vanagons of all shapes and styles on the road, made many
new friends, and actually saw a few Vanagon.com stickers just like mine!  I
even had a kid offer me $1000 and an old Honda Civic for mine...I respectfu
While the trip was successful (except for a slight overheating in Dallas on
635--it was 107 degrees out there,) it took a lot out of me and I stored
Bessie in favor of an '87 Scirocco 16v over the winter.  I recently sold the
Scirocco and am back with my vanagon.  I've replaced the CV joints and
shocks and tuned her up, and everything seems to be a go, except (there is
ALWAYS and exception) a clutch problem:
When I start it up, if I have the clutch in, it lurches like it's still in
gear.  I have to rev it and wait a few seconds before it will slide into
fourth, then third, then it'll go into gear.  Sometimes it grinds as well
when I try to put it in gear.  Once I'm going, it shifts fine except a clunk
occasionally when I go from first to second.  Is this a hydraulic problem?
Do I have a bad clutch m. cylinder?  I haven't been able to find any leaks
anywhere to this point.  What should I change first?  I realize that these
are broad questions.  Any help would be appreciated!
I'm taking off for Santa Fe from Denver in a few weeks, then heading up
through the mountains to Telluride (four passes I think?) then back to
Denver (four or five more passes) so I want her to be running like a champ
when I take off.

Thanks again,
Joe T.
'85 GL 'bessie'

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