Jim,

If I'm not mistaken your problem is a leaking torque converter.  I've not
experienced this in a Vanagon before but your symptoms are typical.  The
torque converter leaks down over time and then takes a few seconds to fill
up once the internals start pumping ATF.  Without fluid in the torque
converter you have insufficient weight to create torque.  If the problem is
worse after the van sits for days versus hours then that probably confirms
it.  Your choices would include replacing the torque converter or just
living with it.

As for the performance discussion, my '87 GL takes off like a rocket
(comparitively slow rocket of course) whereas my '86 Westy is noticeably
slower off the line.  I'm inclined to attribute the difference to the
performance of the engine.  The '87 will run at an indicated 75-80 all day
long without even breathing hard.  I'm constantly having to get out of it
when I find myself going too fast.  (I know we should all have such problems
with these vehicles but that's just the way she runs.) The '86 has a hard
time just getting up to 70.  It's not a weight thing because the Westy is a
base model so it's weight is not that different from the GL.

Jeff Warner
Galloway, OH
'86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Barry"
'87 GL Weekender "Van"

Date:    Tue, 30 Jul 2002 22:06:02 EDT
From:    Jim Morgan <JM060356@AOL.COM>
Subject: Automatic trans hesitation.

Hellow all,
A interesting thing happned te other day. After sitting all night , hoped in
the van and the transmission shifted into gear ok but when i accelerated it
would barly move. I let it sit at idle for about three minutes then it would
work normaly. All fluids are at
proper level.( automatic trans fluil,final drive ect...) The outside temp
was
at 75' F  Once at operating  no problems. I have 198,500+ miles on the
original engine and automatic trans in my 86GL .
Any ideas, coments, PRAYERS?

Jim Morgan 86GL
"Breadbox"

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