Maynard. I don't know the answers to any of your questions,
although I would be inclined to bleed the clutch slave. I would
guess air could have gotten into the system is the fluid was low.
I don't know how that would make the clutch engage as you push the
brake, although it would make the pedal push easy because you
would be compressing the air instead of disengaging the clutch. I
have always had one person push the pedal while I bleed the slave
cylinder.

If you get into a bind, I have a bike shop at exit 247B on I-81 in
VA (go 0.6miles once you are off the interstate, we are on the
right side). I believe I have a slave and clutch master still,
both off a 86 syncro (would these even fit?), if you would end up
needing either. I could also offer a creeper. a few tools, shower,
etc. Unfortunately, I don't have much to offer for overnight
accommodations, although there is a hotel several hundred yards up
the hill. My cell phone is 540-476-1407 if you need it.

Good Luck!
Myron Lind
81 Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: Maynard Southard <echomhs@GIS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 2:59 PM
Subject: On the Road home and need help getting there!

> Volks:
>
> This is not as bad as Theresa's story (although the Reinhardt
name has got me
> worried!)
>
> Ok, I picked up my newly acquired Diesel Double Cab in San
Antonio on Saturday
> (I have really gone way over the Vanagon Nut edge - 3 different
Vanagon
> Diesels?)  I have made it to Nashville today (Tuesday) on my way
back to New
> England (1100 more miles).  Gotta be there by Friday evening for
my son's
> football game.  I'm making good time, travelling an average of
58 mph.  The
> 1.6L NA is doing fine (of course, I haven't hit the mountains in
VA yet.)
>
> I spent all day Sunday in TX checking the vehicle over for the
trip.  I found
> the brake fluid reservoir was low.  Brakes and clutch felt fine.
I added DOT 4
> to a level between the indicated min and max.  Everything's ok
... so I left
> yesterday (Monday).
>
> About 100 miles ago (I've traveled 900 by this point), I pull
into an Exxon to
> fill up (first two tanks full have gotten me 30+ mpg!) I coast
to a stop with
> the clutch in and then just as I apply the brakes for the final
stop (clutch
> still in) it feels like the clutch engages as I hit the brakes
(clutch grab).
>  I don't think much of it.  Fill up and ready to go.
>
> I start up and push in the clutch to get into first.  The pedal
seems pretty
> easy to push (more than I remember) and then the clutch seems to
release very
> quickly as I pull out.  I then have a small amount of difficulty
getting into
> second gear, but no trouble with 3rd or 4th and I am on my way.
>
> Next stop (20 miles ago) I pay closer attention and it seems the
clutch is not
> completely disengaging as I shift in reverse, first or second.
I pulled off
> the instrument cover and the brake fluid reservoir seems to be
at the right
> level.  I'm a little worried, as tomorrow I will hit the smokies
and blue ridge
> mountains of I-40 and I-81.
>
> Question:  does it sound like my clutch slave cylinder needs to
be bled?  If
> so, must I have a partner to do this?  What steps do I take (is
it like the
> pedal pushing brake bleed)?  Or does it mean that my slave
cylinder is bad?
>  I've checked for leaks, but see no evidence.  The brakes are
still good.  Is
> it possible the clutch is the problem (no slipping noticed)?
>
> Any helpful advice will be appreciated.  I have a hotel room for
the night and
> some dark hours to contemplate.  Thanks.
>
> Maynard Southard  (OvO) '79
> '86 Diesel Double Cab "Col. Potter"
> '82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"
> '82 Vanagon GL Diesel "Sluggo"
> '93 EV GL "Klinger"
> '00 Golf GLS TDI "WooHoo"
> '84 Jetta GL TD "Donor"
>