The real question is: Why ids the cap leaking? Does it have a hole in it
from the last person that pried it out to remove it with out then
replacing it? Is it just leaking from the outside? Did it start to fall
out on it's own? Inquiring minds may want to know. The cap can be easily
replaced. Make sure the transmission is not overfilled and that the
breather is not clogged. Either of these conditions will cause the plugs
to weep or possibly blow out.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of All of Us
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 2:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Please Help! 4-Speed Transmission problem

Volks:

I have a problem with the 4-speed manual transmission on "Miss Blue" my
'87 GL Weekender. I noticed that the inboard CV joint on the passenger
side was beginning to weep oil out the end of the boot. I thought that
the grease may have sheared and thinned out but when I removed the half
shaft to service the CV's I was greeted twith a flood of gear lube from
the inside of the inner CV joint. Closer inspection revealed that the
cap in the center of the drive hub/flange (?) is leaking and allowing
gear lube from the differential to enter the CV joint from the
transmission.

I have not disassembled the inner CV yet to inspect it for wear/damage,
but I don't see much point in reinstalling the half shaft until this
leak is fixed. It seems to me that the gear lube will just wash the
grease out of my CV again in short order and I will be right back where
I am now.

Can I fix this problem by just replacing the cap or is this a sign of a
bigger problem that needs to be addressed lurking deeper inside the
transmission? If I can just replace the cap, how would I go about
removing the cap that is on there now? Any help would be greatly
appreciated.

Dan Weber
"Miss Blue" - "87 GL Weekender