>  my '80 Vanagon would go into gear but just rev
>  > >> >up.  If I really gave it some rpms, the vanagon moved a bit.  I
>thought
>>  >> >the clutch went and plan to replace it this weekend.  I noticed two
>days
>>  >> >later, that the grass was dead where the bus was having difficulties
>  > >> >moving.  Any ideas as to what may have happened?  Thanks!

This is clearly clutchslip. This is not caused by fluid problems
(which will cause CRUNCHING and when advanced, refusal to go into
gear) but by a worn disc. The heat is further evidence for this; heat
won't be generated by low fluid.

Now, my 66 van COULD be driven clutchless, as I found when the cable
broke. From a stop, put it in 1st and hit the starter. It would roll
forward, fire up and be away quickly. Gearchanges were easy. Drove it
to work this way for days! Tried this in my 74 1.8 Bay; it refused to
go to neutral, much less select another gear, no matter what rpm I
tried.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut