I don't have a Synchro, but I've had plenty of manual transmission 
equiped cars.  Your problem sounds like either a badly worn clutch and 
pressure plate, or a leaky clutch cylinder.  I don't know the system your 
van uses, but I'd check the master and slave clutch cylinders (or 
whatever VW equivalent is on yours).  That's probably where the trouble 
is.  A way to check is to try pumping the clutch, and also be sure to 
check your clutch fluid level.

Craig

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Craig Standley				1974 Volkswagen Westfalia; The Cow Van
University of Washington
Physics  				"Heaters?  We don't need no stinking
cstand@u.washington.edu			 heaters."
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~cstand    
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