My Mechanic shop just called & it is indeed my tranny, but might not be the pinion bearing as the whine is in 2-4 gear but not 1st-so I will drive it this weekend in 1st gear only while I wait for a new tranny that I will order now.(NOT!)  They are going to replace the gear oil & send moi off till I get the new tranny.

YMMV,

Mr. BZ-stay tuned for future adventures? or not

On Sep 20, 2011, at 9:40 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> Be sure to have enough credit card limits to handle the up to 400 mile tow
> back home.
> It is nearly impossible for anyone to guess how long defective parts may
> last especially without the benefit of being there. You know that something
> is wrong. You need to decide if the risk is worth the trip. Tranny failures
> can also have risks beyond the simple "I got stuck and need a tow". Failures
> can even include wheel lock-ups (that is a fun one) and blowing parts
> through the case can make for some oily messes that may have to be cleaned
> up. At the least the longer you drive it defective the more expensive it
> will be to fix it.
> 
> Dennis
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> John Jensen
> Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 11:40 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tranny Whinning in 84 Westy?
> 
> Well, I think I understand about the risks of a transmission failure out on
> the road.  What I'm trying to do is make a rational decision about how to
> schedule the repair.  Most of my driving is around town, and very rarely
> more than five miles; but I have a trip on my schedule in two weeks which
> will add up to about 400 miles, I think.  I don't have time to make the
> repair before that, so what I'm trying to understand is what my chances are
> of successfully getting back with out a failure.  Based on what I've been
> hearing from others, I think the chances are good.  I guess I'm hoping for a
> confirmation of that.
> Best wishes to all.
> 
> John Jensen '80 Westy Camper.
> johnjensen@johnjensenartist.com
> http://www.johnjensenartist.com
> bluesbug@verizon.net
> 
> 
> On 9/18/2011 10:31 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>> Just keep in mind that when it fails completely you will need to be
>> towed and the repairs will be much more expensive if the box can even
>> be rebuilt after the busted pieces make a mess of things.
>> 
>> Dennis
>> 
>> -