Thanks for that advice. It seems like you're almost in the same boat as me
in some cases. I've been getting help from our local group for a few things,
but I don't think anyone is too excited about working on a transmission. I
do have two problems with taking it to someone though. One is that it will
mean having to rent a car to get to work, which costs more. Two is that I
don't entirely trust the only shop in town that works on these things. He
always seems to fix one thing and break another, along with the fact that I
got my van back dented last time I brought it to him. The only other decent
mechanic is about an hr away, but then I'm also left with finding someone to
drive with me and back, and then a rental.

All that to say, I was hoping to do it myself so that I could get it done in
a weekend (hopefully), and save some bucks. I'm not too keen on doing it,
but it wouldn't be the first time.

On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 6:37 AM, Peter T. Owsianowski <pnoceanwesty@gmail.com
> wrote:

> HI, Peter:
>
> Unfortunately for my wallet, I am in the "not much of a mechanic"
> category.  That being said, have been hyper-maintaining our buses for going
> on 9 years, now.  There are some good garages around Northern Indiana, plus
> our little bus community here has provided group wrenching with me relying
> on some good advice and help. Always try to get things in order before any
> massive breakdown.  The bus will tell you it has a problem if you listen.
>
> The Transmission on our '87 (Auto) started heavily leaking last Winter
> after -14F temps.  I got all the new seals, O-rings, and fluids for the
> trans and differential, got the group together and went through the whole
> procedure by the book with help from the list. After we buttoned it up, it
> leaked worse than before!  And this is a group of Volks that has rebuilt 3
> waterboxers, too.  Don't know if we had "bad" gaskets, O-rings or we just
> couldn't get it right. So, you might want to get a quote from a local
> transmission place getting a check-up and refurb.  I ended up doing that -
> cost about $500 to have everything re-sealed and it has been perfect since
> April.  Your slipping problem may be different than my leaks, but I think
> you get the idea.  Make sure you change out the transmission oil cooler when
> you getting that doine.  Those are around $250-300.  Even Muir says he
> doesn't mess with Transmissions, maybe you shouldn't either. Just my $.02.
>
>
> Pete
> '79 Westy "Aardvark"
> '87 Westy "JoesVan"
> WWW.Busesbythebeach.com
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 1:18 AM, Peter Lapp <carrothospital@googlemail.com>wrote:
>
>> Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I may try that Lucas Transmission
>> fix
>> stuff for now to hold me over a little longer. Like I said before, it's
>> not
>> too bad yet, and only slips a little bit sometimes, but I know the day is
>> coming.
>>
>> I definitely agree with you, Scott, about taking care of your van and not
>> just fixing things when they break. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a
>> mechanic and really only find out how to do things when they break(which
>> is
>> how I've learned nearly all I know about the Vanagon.). I do treat my van
>> as
>> best as possible and do as much preventive work as I know how to do, but
>> without the expertise I'm sure I miss a lot.
>>
>> Thanks for all the input.
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 8:34 PM, David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > At 04:15 PM 11/3/2010  -0700, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>> >
>> >>  The typical vanagon to me, needs about 300
>> >> spots lubricated on it...many of which have never been done since they
>> >> built
>> >> it in Germany.
>> >>
>> >
>> > How about a list?  Seriously.
>> >
>> > Yours,
>> > David
>> >
>>
>
>