lol,
there is 'just something' about pounding eastward in I-80 across Neveda ..
like a sum total of pavement roughness that buids up or something.
I've had some really weird vanagon noises develop from hours and hours
of I-80 driving there.

and ..after all, 'it's just a car' ..
and it's not a blizzard or 30 below ....things could be worse !

what I just LOVE about truck stops..
if you can get to one, 24-7, any day of the year, any weather, and you
have $ ..you're safe !
They have everything from showers to food to clothes, even tools and odd
truck accessories.

I've had a oil light go on at 55 mph in the dead of winter in Idaho
...with nothing around but a farm house every 5 miles or so ...
that turned out to be a non-issue and a mystery ....and I was sure glad
a good interstate truck stop was not that far away.

'usually' gear oil and engine are oil are easy to identify which one it is.

On 6/26/2014 2:30 AM, Don Hanson wrote:
>    That sucks, having vehicle problems on your trip right after spending a
> lot to have new stuff.   Wendover...not the best place to break down, but
> if you are heading east I think there are quite a few options for
> mechanical help in SLC area.  I'd guess by now Elko has a shop that might
> know Vanagons, too.
>
>     I'd suggest you have some coffee this morning and then start a
> spelunking expedition....crawl in there and under there and find out just
> where your leak is.   Jim had good suggestions.
>     Once you've traced the source you can decide what's next.   You may be
> able to top up whatever is leaking and proceed to a formal repair place
> with a lift, shade and security..... or just fix it right there under the
> Giant Cowboy in the parking lot..
>
>   It's not a total tragedy.  You'll figure it out and look back on the
> episode later as a story to tell, your breakdown in Wendover...I know, it's
> not what you had planned when you left on your trip, but it's what you must
> deal with right now.. so take a deep breath and know it won't be that
> bad...hopefully.. Good luck and post what your findings are.
>
>    Wendover....Isn't that where Tom Hanks had his brand new Go Westie
> goldplater Syncro blow up, too?  Something in the air?   Maybe they don't
> like that Interstate....
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 4:25 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I can't think of any reason that a transmission would dump two quarts of
>> fluid where a car sits unless somebody got under it and drilled a hole in
>> the case. Others may chin in on something that could let that amount go at
>> one time, but I can't think of it.
>>
>> As for oil, That's more than a leaking seal, but could be a leaking o-ring
>> on the 2.1's so-called oil cooler in the stack between the oil filter and
>> the flange it screws into. It doesn't matter when the oil was changed or
>> how new the engine it, it just matters where it is right now. If the oil
>> level is right, and doesn't have any water in it, then it's not the oil.
>>
>> Which leaves coolant and power steering fluid and one more thing. Coolant
>> can be deceiving. After it flows down a dirty engine it can look like some
>> other fluid. But it is a usual suspect for sudden loss, as in a temp II
>> sensor clip blowing out (ask me how i know about that!). Power steering
>> fluid? Both that and coolant level are easy enough to check.
>>
>> The other thing is could be is something I had happen one time. I was
>> carrying spare oil under the rear seat, and one of the bottle cracked and
>> leaked out under the car. What a mass, but at the time I was so glad it was
>> totally unrelated to the engine.
>>
>> It probably is not the transmission, but it if it, there will be no way to
>> check it with the fluid that low except to drain what is left and measure
>> it. Once it gets down below the topping off level, which is actually about
>> an inch below the hole, as I recall, I don't think a measurement inside the
>> case is likely.
>>
>> Let us know.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 26, 2014 at 3:52 AM, Nomadix <subarusyncro@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi new 2.2 engine in syncro.   First 300 miles had main seal leak. Got
>>> that fixed under warranty.     On 3000 mile road trip 680 miles into it
>>> have been having a leak.  Thought it was oil at first but oil was just
>>> changed at 800 miles of new Engine now have 1180 on new engine.   Fluid
>> was
>>> dark and dirty.   Now am thinking it might have been Manuel transmission
>>> fluid (gearbox fluid).  I know that holds 5 quarts. Sure I have seen
>> about
>>> two quarts in puddles here and there.
>>>
>>> Oil dip stick is in between the marks.  Don't know what it was at after
>>> oil change.
>>>
>>> Grounded van in parkin lot for the night so can access better in morning
>>>
>>> Is there a way to check Manuel transmission fluid level?
>>>
>>> Any help would be great.  Have some pics don't know how to post to list.
>>>
>>> In wendover nv.  So not to much out here via volks folks.
>>>
>>> Have tools with me :)
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Bob
>>>