Dead Transmission?

[kvorhies]

I think I know the answer to this one, but due to my inability to come up with $800 to have a rebuild done, I'm going to double check.

I've been having some problems with grinding noises when the car is in gear and moving.... Had a few people say the throwout bearing was likely, so I was going to pull the motor to inspect throwout bearing, clutch, etc. Unfortunately, I had to drive about 40 miles to somewhere I would have space to work on the van. With persistence I made it about 30 miles.

The grinding got progressively worse the whole trip. It started popping out of 3rd and 4th gear, and eventually wouldn't stay in 4th at all, then I lost 3rd as well. Now the grinding noise is horrific regardless of the gear, and it will only stay in 1st and 2nd. Also, it makes the grinding noise very faintly even when I'm in neutral now. When I press the clutch pedal down, I am able to shift into all gears (although 4th feels weird).

I didn't want to drive it that far, but I had no choice. I had no way of getting it towed. Now I just want to assess the damage.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

81 aircooled vanagon
2.0L FI
4 speed manual

[IdahoDoug]

Hmm. I'm sure others will chime in, but I think you effectively trashed the transmission. The initial grinding was something coming apart and putting abrasive filings into the oil - turning it into a metal wearing substance. The part about it making a noise even at idle in neutral means the abrasive effect has even gotten the small non load bearing bushings and bearings that are in motion under this condition - a bad sign.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[kvorhies]

That's what I was afraid of... Best way to check? Perhaps check the fluid for metal fillings?

[Robw_z]

Sounds like mine when it went. There is a magnet on the drain plug, yours probably is surrounded by a bush of filings.

I had mine rebuilt by Arizona Transaxle Exchange. Now I don't sweat it.

-Rob

[kvorhies]

What would it mean if the drain plug came out clean?

[foodeater]

[Wildthings]

The drain plug on the bottom of the box should have a built in magnet to catch filings and such. If the box puked the magnet is going to be far from clean. Having some filings is normal, but chunks are not.

[Captain Pike]

Main bearing is shot, this is NOT a 3/4 slider issue. Still needs to come out for repair.
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current.......................

[foodeater]

When I had a synchronizer ring fail on a different (studebaker) transmission it exhibited very similar symptoms. As the bits of the ring would get caught in various gears it would destroy them. After just 4 or 5 miles it only worked in first it would pop out of everything else, and make horrible noises. When I took it out many gears had chipped or missing teeth, the needle bearings were gone (some were crushed, the others were then able to escape, and float around the trans, adding to the destruction) and the centers of the gears were no longer round.

Just bringing this up because the synchro rings are brass, and would not be stuck to a magnet, but you will see big chunks in the fluid.
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89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

[kvorhies]

I haven't had a chance to drain it yet. I just got the 17mm Allen socket I needed a little while ago. I'm going to drain it as soon as possible.

[dhaavers]

[kvorhies]

Just got everything fixed yesterday! Would have been sooner, but I had a hell of a time finding a used transmission, and didn't have enough money to rebuild mine.