I have seen em break from 90K all the way up to 250 Kor more...Campers and
hard driven loaded vans will break sooner than the 7 pass daily driver
typically.
Just change the oil and drive it is my advice... If the worry is worth  the
price of a rebuild, then fix it.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA. (Seattle area)
1-877-377-0773 toll free
425-788-4070
aatransaxle.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Brideau" <dan@HOBBYETC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 8:41 AM
Subject: should I get a new transmission?

Hi,

I'm going to take a 3 week road trip in September.  My '85 is running well,
and I'm confident it will stay that way.

The only item I'm concerned with is the infamous 3-4th gear failure.  My
Westfalia just flipped 140,000 miles - from what I read, this is the spot on
the odometer when the transmission is most likely to fail.

1) Should I get a new one now, or wait for this one to bust? I plan to keep
the van for few more years.

2) What's an easy way to see if the trans has been replaced before?  I
bought the van without any records of service.  I did have it out to replace
the clutch last fall, but didn't notice any signs of work. (but I wasn't
really looking)

Thanks for your guidance,

Dan