I have a 4-claw pick-up tool that I use for a myriad of tasks, mostly when
I have dropped something somewhere and I can't reach it with my fingers. It
is about 24"' long and when contracted, less than 1/2" in diameter, so it
should fit in the drain hole easily.

Here is a photo of one:
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/VWPweb2000/photos/5527.jpg
And of the business end:
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/VWPweb2000/photos/5527jaw.jpg

You should be able to pick one up at a electronics surplus store, or maybe
at a decent auto parts store. To find one on the web, search for a claw
pick-up.

JC Whitney has a flexible claw and a magnetic pick-up tool for $2.99 if you
can't find it locally here:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml?CATID=5192&BQ=jcw2

Good luck,

Tim Hannink
Winter Park, Florida
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/

-----Original Message-----
From:   Loretta Abbott-Kennon [SMTP:SyncrogalVW@CS.COM]
Sent:   Sunday, March 03, 2002 8:27 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Syncro Trans Help needed

Hello Folks, I did a very foolish thing today, I used a siphon pump to
remove
the old transmission oil.  The foolishness is that I accidentally lost the
small length of plastic tubing inside the transmission!  I tried fishing
around for it with a piece of wire to no avail.  I am feeling sick and
wondering if anyone has some words of wisdom.  If I have to drop the
transmission could someone point me to a good step-by-step since I have
never
done such a thing before.
TIA
Loretta
87 Syncro
90 GL
82 Westy