Jon:

So you're saying that with this first attempt to start you leave the
transmission in gear, press the clutch pedal down, the clutch pedal feels
just like it always does, (i.e., normal resistance of the throw-out bearing
against the pressure plate fingers), but when you turn over the engine the
vehicle "jumps" because the clutch is engaged and the car in gear?

The first thought that comes to mind is that there's air in the system,
though I'm not sure what a "cool/cold morning" would have to do with this
behavior.
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Tom Young                        '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549          '82 Westfalia
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Joyce" <okartguy@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 7:01 AM
Subject: Clutch release problems- '81 Aircooled

> The last few cool/cold (below 40 deg. or so) mornings I've gone out to
start
> the bus, the clutch has refused to disengage from the flywheel. I can
shift
> into neutral, start the bus and pump the clutch a few times and it
releases
> like it should. No further problems once underway. What should I look at
as
> the cause for this? My first thought was the slave cylinder, but the pedal
> doesn't feel any different than under normal conditions. TIA-