This seal leaking is really a sign that the rest of the unit needs to be
serviced also.

If you are losing differential oil it is not from the outer o-ring. It is
either leaking elsewhere or mixing into the ATF.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Troy
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: transmission/differential O ring seal

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.

Thanks,

Troy