Salt corrosion can do a number on these castings. If the flange surfaces and
gasket are good then there should not be any oil near the bolt hole.  A new
longer bolt may help. This is an easy place for a heli-coil repair.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
brett rueff
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 12:37 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Leaking Tranny Housing Bolt- stripped?

on my 91 Vanagon with Manual Transmission I discovered a minor leak from the
13mm head bolt next to the tranny drain plug.  I threw a box wrench on it
and gave it a few turns - it turned with light to moderate force.  After one
full turn it wasn't really getting any tighter and the pressure wasn't
changing.  Im worried it might be stripping out the treads on the inside so
I stopped while I was ahead.    Is this common?  Any suggestions?  Its a
nearly new tranny - about 40,000 miles since rebuilt by shop.  Although I
guess regardless of rebuild those threads are still 20 years old......
BrettVancouver, Canada91 Vanagon, EJ22.