In case anyone else missed it earlier, it's a 1985 GL with an auto trans.

(I sent it in a 2nd post right after the first one.)

Be blessed,
~Annie

On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 1:36 PM, Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@gmail.com>wrote:

> Annie, tell everyone what year and type of van you have...sounds like
> auto.  Someone will chime in.
> Michael in San Antonio
> 91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
> 73 Beetle
>
>
> On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I've had my van back from the mechanic for about a month now. All has been
>> fine and everything has been operating smoothly. I've made a few longer
>> trips than normal (about three 100+ mile trips) so I've put about 750-ish
>> miles on it over the past 4 weeks. Normally, I drive about 450 miles a
>> month.
>>
>> Anyway . . . a couple of days ago, I began hearing a noise once I got
>> above
>> 30 mph. It sounds like a turbine engine or something! Very loud rubbing
>> type
>> of sound and makes things kinda vibrate. The noise is definitely louder in
>> the back of the van than in the front. When I step on the brakes, there is
>> a
>> bit of shudder initially but then it goes away.
>>
>> The first day I noticed it, when I got home, I put it in park, and revved
>> up
>> the engine to see if would make any noise and the sound wasn't there. So,
>> I
>> ruled out an engine issue. After everything had cooled, I checked the oil
>> as
>> well as the transmission fluid. The oil was fine but the tranny fluid
>> seemed
>> a bit a low so I followed the procedure in the Bentley for that and ended
>> up
>> adding about 1/4 of a bottle.
>>
>> I went online and searched the archives here as well as on the Samba and
>> from what I read, it sounded like perhaps the seal in the final drive of
>> the
>> transmission might be bad. I'm not entirely sure, though, because it
>> shifts
>> well - no odd noises when shifting (it's an Auto trans, btw), it shifts
>> smoothly and seems to operate as it should.
>>
>> So, last night after my mom and I went for a drive so she could hear the
>> noise, we called the mechanic (who happens to be my Uncle) and he said
>> perhaps it could be something else with the wheel bearings. He told me to
>> let it cool down and then this morning to check the air in the tires (they
>> were a bit low - 29 to 30 psi and recommended is 35 so I filled them to
>> 33).
>> I then drove to town on the highway as he recommended to see if there was
>> any change in the noise at higher speeds.
>>
>> What I found is this - when I'm starting from a dead stop, there is no
>> noise
>> in 1st gear - everything sounds normal. If I take it nice and slow, the
>> noise doesn't begin until I hit about 26-27 mph and am in Drive. BUT - if
>> I
>> start from a dead stop and proceed at a normal accelerating speed, the
>> nose
>> starts immediately after the tranny shifts to 2nd gear - regardless of
>> what
>> speed I'm going. At this level, though, it is not as loud but it is
>> beginning.
>>
>> I also noticed that the sound is loudest between 26 mph and up to about 45
>> with the absolute loudest being right around 30 to 35 mph. Once I get
>> above
>> 45, it's still there but the rumble isn't quite as reverberating and loud.
>> It seems to kind a mellow out some at about 50.
>>
>> There is no loss of power what-so-ever and like I said, the tranny shifts
>> nice and smoothly. Also should note that it has 2 brand new axles on the
>> rear as well as all bearings and what-not. There is no weird feelings or
>> thumping noised when turning or anything either.
>>
>> If anybody has any idea what it could be, please let me know!!
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Be blessed,
>> ~Annie
>>
>
>