It's going to cost a few hundred dollars plus the cost of the used tired
unit to get a used one in place. You will spend at least half for what may
be a temporary fix. You need to save your pennies and just do it once.

What you really want is a full overhaul. The labor is the worst part. All
the clutches, seals, friction discs and if needed the steel plates. In
tranny land we call this the "master" overhaul kit. You also want the torque
converter rebuilt and seals on the final drive, (differential) done along
with checking the final drive gears and bearings. If all goes well this take
you for the next 100 to 200K miles. Become prepared for other surprises.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Lisa Bloch
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 1:15 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: can't go forward

> I have reverse gear (automatic transmission), but no forward gears.
There's a small transmission leak when the engine is running, but not
apparently when it is not. All the fluids are present in apparently proper
amounts.  Maybe a bit too much transmission fluid.

The local transmission expert says it probably needs a rebuilt clutch (it
has more than one! who knew?) but possibly I need a whole new transmission.
Over $1000 if the former, $2200 for the latter.  I just got the thing in
January, I've been putting parts into it, that's more money than I have
right now.

There's the possibility of getting some time by putting in a no-longer
wanted automatic transmission from a Vanagon of vintage 1978-1991.  Anyone
have one, that works, that they don't need?

Lisa Bloch
lab@rynth.org
'89 camper 2.1L automatic