Did you also replace the slave cylinder down by the transmission? Did you
check the level of fluid? It is not uncommon for your slave cylinder to go
around the same time as your master cylinder itself? That would give the
symptoms you're describing, since the clutch is not being disengaged
completely. First thing to do is check your master cylinder fluid level.
Also, some rebuilt MC's are defective. Might work for a week, and then give
up.
HTH,
Courtney

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lieb" <jlieberie@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 5:01 PM
Subject: Transmission woes in PA

> Well, I hope this isn't going to be as bad as I think it might be. I'm
> experiencing problems with my 1987 Westy. I had the clutch master cylinder
> changed about a week ago because it was leaking. The van has been driving
> great all summer until the last couple of days. I noticed that it was
> becoming harder and harder to get in to 1st gear. Usually if I'm crawling,
> like at a stop light I can ease it in to gear just fine. As it became more
> difficult I found that I had to come to a complete stop to get it into
> gear
> and a few times as I drove I had to really floor the clutch for a smooth
> shift. On the way home from work I stopped at a stop sign and the shifter
> would not go into first at all. I got it into second and proceeded from
> there and at the next stop it wouldn't go in 1st or 2nd. I put it in
> third,
> got it going, downshifted to 2nd and drove the last two blocks to my home.
> As I pulled up in front of my house and parked it I tried to shift and it
> would not go in to any gear and if I tried reverse the gears were still
> turning (grind, grind) even with the clutch to the floor. Any ideas or
> help
> before I call the garage?
>
> --
> Jim in NW Pa.
>
> Member: PVC Pittsburgh Vanagon Club
> 1987 Vanagon Westfalia Camper
> Member: Toyota Land Cruiser Association #15764
> 1982 FJ40
> 2007 FJ Cruiser