The fluid was really low so I replaced it but it's still not working... it
would work immediately right? Going to look into that slave cylinder
problem now. Hope it doesn't need a new clutch... is that what a master
cylinder is or is that different too? What's bleeding? Like draining from
somewhere? Geez... thanks for helping this beginner out.

On Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 6:27 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> that's on track..
> the posters words..
> "transmission flush fluid  ' ..
> totally not the right realm.
> You need Brake Fluid , like DOT 3 grade, to bleed the clutch hydraulic
> fluid, it sounds like.
>
> and ...if the clutch hydraulic system is not working ..
> it's not like 'oh some just leaked out  and all you need to do is bleed
> it.'
> Yes, bleeding may get your working in the short term ..
> but usually it means that either the slave cyl on the trans bell housing is
> going south .( quite common ) or worse, the Clutch Master Cylinder on the
> clutch pedal is going south.
>  The second one is a lot harder to do ..
> often lasts from original ...but it could be due.
> If you find any brake fluid or moisture around the clutch pedal ..it could
> be that.
> Slave cylinders last 6 to 8 years or so.
> Not that hard to replace...though there is a little mod I do to the aftmost
> of the two mounting bolts that makes things a lot easier.
>
> It's a quite common failure. Something you want fixed right before a trip.
> and ..
> in all cases, Brake Fluid should be changed every two years..
> including the Clutch Hydrualic Fluid.
> I bet it looks like thin black water ..
> the stuff leaking out of your clutch hyd system.
> Brake fluid absorbs water out of the air..just sitting there.
> It needs to be changed every two years ...very important , for brakes and
> clutch system
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 12:58 PM
> Subject: Re: floppy clutch, unable to shift when the engine is on
>
>
>  That sounds to me like a hydraulic problem.   Low fluid, as was
>> suggested..or perhaps a leaking clutch cylinder letting air get in and
>> clutch (brake) fluid get out.   If it did just get low somehow without any
>> obvious leaking...you may have to add fluid and bleed the air from the
>> system...
>>  I just recently  encountered that on my 84 and it turned out to be the
>> clutch slave cylinder....
>>
>>  Don Hanson
>>
>> On Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 9:44 AM, Kendra Calhoun
>> <kendracalhoun@gmail.com>**wrote:
>>
>>  Hi all. So my 82 L has gone from squeaking when shifting to having a
>>> floppy
>>> clutch and not shifting at all when the engine is on. I can shift into
>>> gears when it's off though... My roommate thinks I need to get some
>>> transmission flush fluid and it'll be fixed... I hope so! We're hitting
>>> the
>>> road next week for two months so I hope it isn't anything major
>>> (expensive). Any of you more experienced vanagoners experienced this?
>>> Thanks!!!
>>>
>>>