-----Original Message-----
From: Anthony L. Mourkas <frankenstein@TELPLUS.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Friday, June 05, 1998 12:03 PM
Subject: Clutch Rattle at Idle

>I test drove friend's 1984 van (93k) the other day with a wicked rattle
>when idling at rest that seemed to be clutch related.  Lo and behold when
>I drove home in my 1981 van (139k) it exhibited the same noise, although
>to a much smaller degree.  I had never noticed it before, thought it was
>just air cooled motor noise.
>
>When my van is at rest, idling, in neutral, with the clutch depressed the
>motor is very smooth and purrs.  If I release the clutch a faint "rattle"
>is introduced.  This is the same with my friend's van, only the "rattle"
>is much more pronounced.  This van also has shifting problems when warm.
>Mine shifts great when warm, a little sluggish first thing.
>
>Any idea as to what's going on here?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tony
>
>Anthony L. Mourkas
>Hampden, Maine, USA
>1981 Vanagon Westfalia
>
-------------------
Seems to me  you have the noise pinpointed to the transaxle,  and more
specifically to one or more of the needle bearings of  1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th
gears. Change them all if you go inside.  Could  possibly be the input
 main shaft)   bearings.

Darrell Boehler
Makanda Illinois