Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2017 09:19:45 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about Transmission Stutter
In-Reply-To: <CAKLYf11sHVMJKZZ2YmS=ChcXb=MsKXEkPdRGnsc3X=iqAfj9kA@mail.gmail.com>
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Engine/transmission mounts can cause your problem. You may need a press or a big vise to change those bushings. Also, any machine shop should do it for you for $25 or so. Worth it.
Good luck.
P.S.: I remembered after I sent that email the van was actually a California Lemon Law buy-back, it was that bad. The poor PO had never even camped in it. Dealers in WA have to tell you where they get their used cars if you ask.
Stuart
From: Ryan Perry [mailto:rjdperry@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2017 6:21 PM
To: Stuart MacMillan; vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: Question about Transmission Stutter
Good call Stuart. Yeah I have checked both on install of the new engine last month. All within spec and functioning well. The throttle body seemed pretty good with minimal play on the plate. New S boot as well and all vacuum lines redone.
I found a thread on samba that talks about some of the same issues with bucking going on and off idle. It also talked about clutch chatter, which I have as well. Said they replaced the transmission mount bushings and it was a huge change over sick and made better shifting.
So given the price I went ahead and ordered the powerflex bushing and will see how that goes. Already have the old mount out, just trying to get the bushing out. Hope to button it up and see. Past that I'm at a loss, on to the next I guess.
Will let you know!
Thanks
Ryan
On Mon, Mar 20, 2017, 1:45 PM Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
Did you clean the throttle body and adjust the two micro switches? See Bentley 24.33, note last paragraph on that page. With the Digijet system if the first switch isn't adjusted properly you will get bucking under certain conditions. Accelerating or, in my case, severe bucking at speed around 35 mph. Worth checking before you get too deep in the weeds.
My van was misadjusted by the factory (factory paint seal on screw was unbroken) and several VW techs missed the problem back in '84-'85. Poor PO put up with it for 30k miles until VW did a warranty buy-back. I bought it from a Seattle VW dealer and they couldn't fix it either. 15 min with my Bentley and a screwdriver and it was fixed. I drove that van for 20 years/250k miles and wish I'd never sold it.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Ryan Perry
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2017 7:33 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Question about Transmission Stutter
Hey everybody, I have put this question out there before but under different circumstances so wanted to see if the group had feedback after some more info.
So, my van at a lower RPM and then constant speed to off throttle starts to do this bucking thing. Hard to explain, its almost a resonant issue where its hardly any throttle and it almost feels like the transmission is engaging then disengaging but gets worse as I continue over the course of a few minutes until I have to put in clutch.
Initially I chalked it up to a weak engine. My old 1.9 was on its last leg with low compression and oil pressure and just figured it was not keeping up well with the demand at low RPM.
Well, I now have a new GW 2.2 with new AFM, ECU and CVs repacked and booted and new clutch 2-3 years ago. Unfortunately still doing it. One of the problems now is that with the increased torque of the engine its more pronounced.
I have heard that it was perhaps associated with the bushing for the cone of the transmission but can't seem to find much info on it. I am hoping it is not my transmission going bad. After the money I just spent on this new engine pretty sure I would be dealing with it for a while.
Any thoughts on what to check or how to diagnose, info to read or products to help?
thanks
Ryan
Asheville, NC
