In a message dated 9/15/02 7:32:16 PM, clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM 
writes:

> 
> I would like some help, but the symptons are a confusing on ''88 Syncro 2.1 
> DJ with supposedly 55,000 miles on rebuilt engine.
> 
> Several things happening.
> 
> After vans longest run for a while (only 50-60 miles)... temperature gauge 
> middling, ran OK until
> a vibration at 60-65 mph getting worse, to the point that rear-view mirror 
> blurrs, not throught the steering so could it be a rear driveshaft 
> (propshaft has been removed).
> 
> ... then pulling off a motorway and going around a sharp uphill bendy bit, 
> the oil light starts flashing and the buzzer comes on.
> lifted off and stopped within a couple of hundred yards, turned off. Upon 
> re-starting on level ground, the starter had� ahell of a job turning motor 
> over, as if its hydraulic locked. However, once it got a piston over TDC , 
> it spun and started, no oil light no nasty noises, and idled OK. Turned off 
> and restarted with exact same starting difficulty, so cruised off home (2 
> miles) - ran fine.
> 
> When parked up noticed oil dripping from underframe beneath exhaust cross 
> pipe at front(ish) of engine and some more hot oil that was forward of the 
> driveshafts alongside transaxle. The enderframe that was really quite 
> covered is the front and wider cross-member of the two on the syncro with 3 
> or 4 holes pressed into it. Like a drip, drip, which slowed down 
> considerably in 5 minutes.
> 
> Dipped oil after an hour and it was 1/4 way up from MIN, towards max. on 
> reasonably level surface.
> Also, engine runs fine, no light etc BUT quite a grumbling noise (from 
> pilot bearing, 1st motion shaft of gearbox) which disappears when clutch is 
> down - this noise was there before but not so loud and so dry sounding.
> 
> Maybe some of these events are not related, but would appreciate some 
> feedback, without me prejudicing what I think the hell is going on, 
> whatever it is, it didn't exactly leave me in a good frame of mind this 
> evening.
> 
> 

Well, Clive, you say the "prop-shaft" has been removed? You mean the portion 
between the rear transmission and the front? Otherwise, I'd say your symptoms 
are indictitive of needing a rebuild/replacement on that shaft. The Vibration 
at 60-65, I've experienced. I also recall the dry sound (when it wasn't 
deadened by all the other sounds) at low speeds. When I finally took mine in 
for service, the U-joints were rusted solid (according to the dealer). I paid 
the price and my GoldBrick continues on the road now vibration and noise 
free.