The torque converter seal alone is rarely the problem. Intermittent leakage
can be sign of overheating or a vent on top is clogged. There are two vents,
one for the auto section and one for the final drive. These can get covered
and caked with dirt effectively sealing the compartments and expansion will
force the oil out somewhere.

If replacing the seal you need to carefully check the seal wear area on the
converter. If grooved it needs a welding and machine repair. Also, there is
a press in bushing where the converter rides on that spline shaft.

If hill climbing or acceleration is poor, then possibly the converter is
bad, (yes the fail). A bad stator clutch or worn turbines prevent the torque
converter from "amplifying" torque and poor performance is the result.
Tranny shops can get them rebuilt for you.

Check the accelerator cable and linkage adjustments. Floored, the tranny
should stay in a lower gear until ~5,200 rpm or so. If not the full throttle
kick down is not working. There is actually detent in the tranny that you
can feel in the pedal.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Edward Maglott
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 9:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Leaking Torque Converter Seal

It's leaking again.  A few years ago it started leaking when I tried
to climb an extended grade in D rather than 2 after a day of hot
driving.  Full throttle, ~3200rpms.  I don't do that
anymore.  Anyway, I bought a "snake oil" product called "no leak"
from the Gold Eagle Co. and dang if it didn't work!  So this has been
a cold winter and I haven't driven the van much until a nice little
trip this weekend, maybe 150 miles with some mtn climbing on the way
home.  The leak is not as bad as the time several years ago, but it
is dripping too much to stand.  I'm going to first try this miracle
product on it again.  If that doesn't work, the next step is to
replace that Torque Converter seal.  I've pulled the trans out
before, but what would I need to do to replace that seal, other than
actually replacing it?  Do I need to do anything to the TC mating surface?

Thanks,
Edward