Once you get the trans out, don't assume it's the crank seal causing the mess of oil
you find in there. Once it gets flung about by the clutch and leaks out, it's hard to tell
if it's gear oil or engine oil, especially if you have synthetic gear oil that doesn't smell
bad...
I did that - dropped the trans, changed rear main seal, and had to do it all over again
when the leak came back a few months later. Turns out it was the trans input shaft
seal that was leaking. And more bad news in my case - it is leaking *again*! It
appears the oil "slinger" in the trans is damaged, and has probably chewed up the
new seal again. In other words, once you have it out, check *everything*. Unless you
enjoy dropping the trans, or are into masochism as I clearly am...

On 2 Jan 2005 at 22:25, Carrington, Tom <TCarrington@RELITECH.COM> wrote:

> Hi Chris,
>
> I never finished this article, but it should help you out:
>
> http://volksweb.relitech.com/clutch.htm
>
> Regards,
> TomC
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: cHRIS sNYDER [SMTP:Vanagonwb@WMCONNECT.COM]
> > Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2005 7:12 PM
> > To:   vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject:      Now what?
> >
> > I was under my 1987 Van today and saw something that looks bad. Their is
> > oil
> > everywhere It's engine oil and it's coming (I think) down thought the bell
> > housing I'm afraid it's the rear engine seal.
> > I would like to know how bad of a job it is to replace and if I have to
> > have
> > it done in a shop about what should I expect to pay to get that done?
> >
> > Does anyone know what size allen wrench the top starter bolt is? Someone
> > here
> > said to let the allen key brace it self against the bell housing and take
> > the
> > nut off the other end but, on mine it's just bolts that go into the bell
> > housing.
> > Thanks again for any and all information.
> >
> > Chris S.
>

--
Shawn Wright
I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School