Maynard,
Mine did something similar when the clutch master cylinder went out. Do you
see anything leaking ont the carpet under the pedals? If it just needs to be
bled and you are working alone, here is what i did. get about 10 feet of
aquarium tubing (1/8 or so flexible rubber tube), slip one end over the
bleeder valve on the slave cylinder, put the other end in a jar or cup or
whatever you have on the ground by the driver's door. open the valve, pump
the pedal, watch for air bubbles. when all bubbles are gone, tighten the
valve. you don't have to worry about air getting back into the line, there
will be enough air-free fluid in the tubing, so you don't have to hurry.
Good luck,
Don

----- 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"
>