Thanks Daryl,

I was hoping you would hop in on this post, being the master of all things transaxle and all. 

So NO need to get a new gasket? Just discard and go with the RTV?

I've been using Ultra Gray RTV for other applications in my "re-conversion" as I am calling it - that going to work fine, I'm assuming? 
Here's what I've been doing for other RTV jobs: If something stands out as not being compatible with this job, please let me know.
Clean with razor (sometimes I even use a touch of 220-330 sandpaper if there is corrosion on there)
Use brake Kleen
I apply RTV to both sides, let it skin over a touch (5 min in this dry climate) set it in place and very loosely tighten the bolts (just past finger tight) then let it dry for 5 hours or so, tighten to about half the torque...let dry completely and tighten to full torque.

Thanks again - if I mis-interpreted the portion about not using the gasket - just RTV, please let me know.
-Ben

> From: daryl@aatransaxle.com
> To: aquasheck@HOTMAIL.COM; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re:      MT Transmission Gasket Set Install Question
> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:51:06 -0700
> 
> Ben...That would be the bell housing gasket that is seeping..Generally some 
> seepage is not a big deal...If you do want to repair it, its pretty easy. 10 
> bolts to take it off after you drain the oil...clean both surfaces with a 
> razor blade and dry with brake kleen...Apply a small bead of RTV (silicone) 
> sealer to both inner and outer portions of the sealing surface and 
> reinstall..Simple as it gets.
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> (425) 788-4070
> aatransaxle.com
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ben Cichowski" <aquasheck@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:10 AM
> Subject: MT Transmission Gasket Set Install Question
> 
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> (1988 2WD MT Wolfsburg Vanagon ej22)
> 
> I have to pull my transmission to replace an oil seal on my engine (not VW) 
> so I'm going to have it dropped anyway - probably in the next few weeks or 
> so I'll tackle that.
> 
> My question is regarding a "wet spot" on my Manual transmission housing. It 
> appears that the aft-most gasket on the housing (just fwd of the drain plug) 
> has a very slight seep - enough to cause a wet area on the outside of the 
> housing at that seam. I see they sell gasket sets at Van Cafe' and other 
> places. Has anyone installed one of these? Is this a huge disassembly mess 
> to do, or is it relatively straight forward and a pretty quick job?
> 
> My PO did a clutch job before I bought the vehicle - about 10K ago and it 
> still shifts like butter (after I replaced the hydraulics and changed the 
> oil to MT-90). I'm basically asking if the consensus is to leave the slight 
> seep until I need to work on the tranny for something else...or if this is a 
> pretty easy replacement that is worth doing now when I have the transmission 
> out.
> 
> Thanks,
> Ben
> 
> 
> 
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