In a message dated 26/08/2008 7:37:24 P.M. Central Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        Sounds correct to me.   This is a VERY COMMON problem on all the auto
tranny Vanagons.  Tranny must  be separated for the diff and removed.  There
are three O-rings, two  seals and a paper gasket that need to be changed, plus
oil in the diff and  tranny, plus maybe the seal on the torque converter,
plus maybe the seals on the  output flanges, plus maybe a new filter and gasket
for the tranny.  Yea, so  $600 sounds kinda cheap !!!!  See my _Vanagon Items
Forsale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm)   "Transmission &
Differential" "Auto transmission & Differential" webpage  for a list of the most common
parts needed.

>>>>>>>>>Just got word from my mechanic that  the seal between the
transmission and the differential is leaking. I'm told  this is a $600 job, as the
transmission needs to be pulled. Does this sound  like a reasonable and customary
charge for such a service? It's beyond my  capabilities, so I'm at the mercy of
this mechanic. The leak seems to be  small, so I'm halfway tempted to leave
it for awhile, perhaps just topping off  the differential fluid as needed. I'm
driving less than 4000 miles per year,  and this is an expensive little repair
that was unexpected to say the least.  Vehicle is an 89, auto
westy.<<<<<<<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15,  2008