I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I did check the vents and
didn't find them to be gunked up or clogged.  I wouldn't want to
cover the vents on the bellhousing, I was thinking of sort of a
curved air deflector.  Now that I think about it though, this might
just deflect the oil residue in a different direction along with the air.
Edward

At 08:20 AM 3/27/2010, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>Intermittent torque converter leaks are usually a sign of something else
>being wrong. Worn TC bushing, loose TC to flex plate bolts, or trans
>overheating. A much more common problem is the vents on top getting clogged.
>Check them.
>
>Resist the temptation to make a cover for the housing openings. They are
>there for a reason-cooling. The TC has a turbine on the front to move air.
>That is how it was cooled especially in the air cooled days. Any heat not
>dissipated here goes to the radiator via the oil cooler.
>
>Dennis
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>Edward Maglott
>Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 10:13 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Leaking Torque Converter Seal- Fixed
>
>Well, this no leak product worked again.  When I put it in there was
>enough oil slinging out of the bellhousing to make a pretty good mess
>of everything in that area.  Same as last time, it took 100 miles for
>the leak to stop and it really does seem to be completely
>stopped.  All the oily areas in the "sling zone" are now pretty much
>dry.  There is residue of course, but it is not wet.  As mentioned in
>my original email, the product is called "No Leak" from Gold Eagle
>Co.  It comes in a bottle that has a tube about 6" long that pulls
>out of the cap which makes it very easy to  put in the dipstick tube
>with no funnel.  This is probably why I bought it the first
>time.  Your mileage may vary.  Maybe my particular tranny problem is
>suited for this product to repair it?  Maybe it is pure coincidence
>that it has stopped leaking twice after I used it?  I did find record
>that the time I had the big leak was in June 2007, probably only 10k
>miles ago.
>
>I seek list wisdom on cleaning the oily residue off of the items that
>have been sprayed  with hot ATF.  I especially would like to prevent
>damage to the hoses, thermostat housing, wiring harnesses in that
>area.  Should I even clean it?  If so with what?  I was thinking
>maybe some purple degreaser cleaner in some dilution, mop it around
>with a brush and rinse with hot water?
>
>Edward
>
>
> >-----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