Interesting. Niether my 83 AC nor my 84 WBX have any 'growlies' with
considerably more mileage than that.

I, of course, don't know what your growlies sound like so I can't make an
informed opinion, but I sure hope you haven't just found someone who tells
you what you want to hear. A third (or fourth) opinion might be in order?

tim in san jose

>From: Art McGinn <ajmcginn@EARTHLINK.NET>
>Reply-To: Art McGinn <ajmcginn@EARTHLINK.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: westy reprieve
>Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 16:24:13 -0800
>
>        shopping around for a mechanic you can trust, who is capable and
>honest, for a possible transmission replacement after 26,000 miles, due to
>unseemly growlies at odd times, stopped off at valley wagon works in san
>rafael (ca) this afternoon. an extremely bright, perceptive young fellow
>drove it around the block a couple of times and pronounced that those
>little
>growlies were the sounds of wear and were normal for that amount of
>mileage,
>which, actually, isn't a great deal for an '82 westy transaxle (rebuilt).
>        this assessment was received was some relief, walletwise.
>        just the day before, an older mechanic in s.f., who shall remain
>nameless but has a german accent, looked it over and pronounced that about
>$2,000 ought the fix the problem good and proper. i am sure he is right.
>$2,000 can fix a lot of problems, many categories.
>        it is a slippery slope which we all live day-to-day. i am thankful
>for bright, perceptive young guys at valley wagon works, which, by the way,
>had about five good looking westies on racks and otherwise in the process
>of
>being groomed for better tomorrows. mine will soon join them.
>        cheers, art, '82 westy, san fran

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