OK,

I can now give a much better description of the problem.  The other evening,
the sound had gone away and I was going from my memory which was faulty.

I can now sometimes replicate the sound when the van is stopped, the
emergency brake on, the transmission in neutral, the clutch not depressed,
and I accelerate the engine.  The sound (metallic squeal) happens if I
accelerate to about 3000 rpms and the sound briefly occurs there and when I
release the accelerator.  It does not sound like a squealing belt but does
have that kind of sound except that it is more metallic in nature.
Transmission and clutch operation are smooth.

Now, I am starting to think it could be the water pump.  Not leaking yet
that I can see and I have lost no coolant in the 1,000 miles since we have
left home.

What do you think?   Will try and check email this evening or in the
morning.

Harold
___
Harold Teer
1991 Westy (Vangaux)
Harrisonburg, VA

On Sat, Jul 4, 2009 at 8:05 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> Could you describe the noise please !
> a whining sound, a crunch. a pop, a clunk...........etc.
> more than 'metallic sound' if you can.
>
> do the clutch pedal and shifter feel totally normal and smooth ?
> ........like there is *no* symptom, except the noise .........or is there
> 'a strange feel' in either the clutch pedal or shifter ?
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harold Teer" <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 5:40 PM
> Subject: Metallic sound when depressing the clutch
>
>
>
>  My wife are on our way from Virginia to Newfoundland and are now in
>> Brattleboro,Vermont heading to Maine.  I just noticed a new sound from our
>> 91 Westy and am wondering if anyone can give me a best guess as to what
>> may
>> be causing the noise.  I have Larry's list of shops on my computer so can
>> access it to find a shop but wanted some ideas before hunting for a shop
>> next week.
>>
>> The transmission shifts easily and the van is running great.  The
>> transmission fluid has been changed every couple of years and it was
>> changed
>> before this trip.  However, sometimes when I put the clutch in to shift
>> from
>> 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd, a metallic sound momentarily emits from
>> the
>> rear of the van.  After I get the van in the next gear, the noise goes
>> away.  Once or twice, the noise continued for a few seconds after the
>> clutch
>> was released.  The noise does not happen every time I shift and I think it
>> is related to the clutch and not the transmission itself.
>>
>> Ideas and thoughts appreciated,
>>
>> Harold
>> ___
>> Harold Teer
>> 1991 Westy (Vangaux)
>> Harrisonburg, VA
>>
>
>