so, after all that, they just called while getting the 3rd trans
installed for me to pick up to say they found the cause of the noise :

the PO had replaced one of the transmission mounts with a solid piece of
metal, which is why it sounded so bad/loud at highway speeds.

im going to pass on having them repair it for me for now as I dont know
100% about how I feel about their ability to troubleshoot or work on my
van.

cr

Chris Renz wrote:

> Hello fellow listee's
>
> 81 aircooled vanagon, manual transmission.
>
> local shop here in Eureka, CA : Honest Engine
> rebuilt transmission from: German Transaxle, from Bend, OR
>
> The short of it:
>
> wife was driving to SFO and dropped 3rd gear while downshifting/'climbing
>
> AAA towed to Honest Engine about a month ago.
>
> H.E. removed the old one, swaped it with the new rebuilt from G.T. and
> said they heard funny trans sounds, so they sent it back.
> G.T. send a second, same issue. Sent this one back as well.
> Waited for new one to arrive, installed, same issue. NOW they realize
> its probably something else and have already lost their asses on it,
> so I can either give them the word to start ripping everything out of it
> till they find the real source, or 'wait for whatever it is to get worse
> and fail'
>
> I guess it shifts fine, it just makes a noise while driving. they had it
> up on the lift, tried to locate with stethescope, no dice.
>
> I just dont know how I feel about it. the last transmission did make a
> somewhat loud noise while driving, but I thought the new tranny would
> correct that.
> I know the trans had to be replaced anyway, its just odd that a shop
> that works on these went through three transmissions trying to track
> down the cause of this noise and
> failed to do so.... I doubt I'll find it on my own. they checked the
> clutch and it seems ok, swaped out the axles with rebuilt ones and that
> wasnt it either.
>
> I guess its time to bring it into another shop to get a new 'eye' on the
> project.
>
> I do have faith in Honest Engine, at least for one or two of their guys
> that ive spoken with anyway, so I dont think its their own lack of
> knowledge.
>
> Anyway, any tips, suggestions or misc tomfoolery is welcome....
>
> cr
>
>
>
>