You have a broken 3-4 hub in the transmission.  Syncros are famous for this
at +/- 150K mi.  You'll need to get the tranny rebuilt.  Not including R&R
(since you might be able to do that yourself), expect to pay minimally $1K +
freight, or max of $2.3K for an advance exchange.  While you're in there,
I'd highly recommend getting a .77 4th gear, and I'd use Redline synthetic
oil in it.  Before buying, I'd also check the condition of the viscous
coupler in the front diff.  If the current owner doesn't replace all 4 tires
at the same time, it probably needs a rebuild as well.  ($1K - $1.5K).  The
only quick way I know to check is to drain the front diff oil, and if it
smells terrible (kind of sulphurous), then the silicone fluid has leaked
from the VC, and you need it replaced.  If that's the case, remove the drive
drain to the front diff until you fix it to prevent additional problems.

I had German Transaxle in Bend, OR rebuild my tranny and they were excellent
(Portland VW shops all use them, too).  http://go.to/gtainc
Other list members have used AATransaxle and everyone raves about his skills
as well.  http://www.aatransaxle.com/

If you can get a Syncro for $1K, even if both the trans & VC need
rebuilding, I'd personally do it.  I made mine into a Westy minus the
poptop.

David Jaffe
'86 Syncro West'faux'lia

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Matthew Pollard
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2001 9:52 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: stuck in 3rd

Why is it that when my bus (and wife's car, and truck) are running awesome
all of my friend's rigs bit the bullet? Last week is was my good friend's
jetta, and last night it was another good friends syncro...

86 (87?) syncro stuck in 3rd.  That is exactly as much as i know.  What
could it be?

And second, how much is a syncro worth with a bad tranny?  (If that is
what the problem is) Here is my idea. I want a syncro. I can maybe pick it
up from my friend for a cheap (1K ?) then just hang on to it until i have
the available $ for a tiico and a tranny.  I will fund this endevour
by -gasp- selling my 84 bus.

thanks
-Matthew

Matthew Pollard          "Racing with the wind and flirting with death
Dept. Of Chemistry        So have a cup of coffee and catch your breath"
University of Idaho
www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356