Stuart 
Thanks for the shop tip!
I have some excellent avenues to explore.  Thank you all for taking the time to think this out!

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 13, 2015, at 9:14 AM, "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> GT offers a two year warranty, sometimes longer.  You should check your
> receipt. A good VW shop can check the fluid, sometimes the cooler fails and
> coolant mixes with the ATF. 
> 
> The '87 Westy my son just bought had a GT rebuilt auto installed by European
> Motors at 918 SE Stephens St in Portland.  I spoke to Ray, the owner, about
> the work he did on this van over the years, and he seemed knowledgeable, but
> I have no direct experience with this shop.
> 
> I'd run it over there or some other good VW shop, and don't wait too long,
> these things only get worse (and more expensive). Good luck!
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Arlene Sondergaard [mailto:arlensondergaard@gmail.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2015 9:02 AM
> To: Stuart MacMillan
> Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Subject: Re: Transmission issue
> 
> Stuart
> I got a rebuilt from German Transaxle 2 years ago.  There is no way i can go
> all the way down there any time soon.  That's why I was hoping someone had
> experience with a transmission shop around here.  I was hoping some sort of
> adjustment would take care of it!
> Thanks though.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On May 13, 2015, at 8:36 AM, "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Any good VW shop in Portland will simply send your transmission to 
>> German Transaxle in Bend, or you can go there yourself and have a mini 
>> vacation for the $300 it will cost to ship your core there and the rebuilt
> unit back to
>> Portland.  www.germantransaxle.com   
>> 
>> Stuart
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On 
>> Behalf Of Arlene Sondergaard
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 7:04 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Transmission issue
>> 
>> I have a 1987 Wolfsburg Carat tin top
>> With auto transmission problems.
>> In the morning when cold, 
>> I start the van in park & it lurches forward.   When I leave from work 8
>> hours later, I put her in reverse to pull straight out of my parking 
>> space-she stalls or dies the first try.
>> Do any of you have a recommendation for a transmission shop in the 
>> Vancouver Portland area??  I looked at the mechanic list you all put 
>> together but, I don't see a transmission shop in my area.
>> Thanks for any thoughts!!
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone=
>