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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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 Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 4:23 pm Post subject: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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Just returned from a trip. While we were travelling I started to notice a repetitive noise at highway speeds. Had the wife drive and rode in the back where it seemed obvious it was coming from the transmission.
Now that I was listening in the right place I found I could also hear it at idle as a soft rattling/banging--BUT, only with the clutch engaged and the trans in neutral. Disengage the clutch (pedal down) and the sound stops. If it is cold the sound is not really noticeable, gets worse as things warm up.
Pretty sure this means the main shaft bearing, but would be curious what others think about the situation. Drained some oil and looked at the plug--plug looks OK, oil looks like what I believe is sometimes referred to as unicorn blood.
Vanistan 2.2, full rebuild 12,000 miles ago, Swepco 201. I drive at 3600-3800 rpm, 60-65 mph. Pretty sure this shouldn't be happening...
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1986 Syncro Westy "Braunbaer"
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=607112 |
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Jon_slider
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Joined: April 11, 2007
Posts: 5091
Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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RicoS
Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2006
Posts: 583
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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| ng wrote: |
| . . . Vanistan 2.2 . . . |
No worthwhile input regarding your problem, yet, but one question: What is a Vanistan 2.2?
A Syncro (or any Vanagon, for that matter) can drive you nuts trying to figure out what's wrong every time it burps. For the sake of one's sanity, I've figured it's best not worry about it until something breaks, and something WILL break.
Richie (near The Burgh) |
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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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I did contact the rebuilder, haven't heard back yet. I have seen very similar failures on the samba, for example the post from Syncro Jael near the end of page 1:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=630831
Something is banging around in there, pretty sure about that, I think the magnet looks OK because nothing has broken yet, it is just grinding away at the case leaving the fine metallic residue in the oil.
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1986 Syncro Westy "Braunbaer"
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=607112 |
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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 11:52 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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| RicoS wrote: |
| A Syncro (or any Vanagon, for that matter) can drive you nuts trying to figure out what's wrong every time it burps. For the sake of one's sanity, I've figured it's best not worry about it until something breaks, and something WILL break. |
I know what you mean, but if there is something wrong with my transmission, that sounds like a good way to make an expensive repair cost even more.
| RicoS wrote: |
| ng wrote: |
| . . . Vanistan 2.2 . . . |
What is a Vanistan 2.2? |
2.2 L waterboxer--only point is that any trans failure shouldn't be hp related.
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1986 Syncro Westy "Braunbaer"
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=607112 |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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I have heard those symptoms before.
Pretty sure its the mainshaft bearing if it stops making noise when disengaging the clutch (pushing to the floor).
From all the issues that I have had, over the years, any noise from the transaxle is something coming apart. As you keep driving it all those metallic pieces are being ground up by other still good components.
Suggestion, stop driving it as soon as possible and get it removed and opened up.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
I have heard those symptoms before.
Pretty sure its the mainshaft bearing if it stops making noise when disengaging the clutch (pushing to the floor).
From all the issues that I have had, over the years, any noise from the transaxle is something coming apart. As you keep driving it all those metallic pieces are being ground up by other still good components.
Suggestion, stop driving it as soon as possible and get it removed and opened up.
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Pulled it, sitting on the garage floor. I'll update once I find out what's going on.
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1986 Syncro Westy "Braunbaer"
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=607112 |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:46 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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You should still have it under warranty????
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
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Sodo
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Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9609
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
| You should still have it under warranty???? |
If they'd give you money back that you can spend elsewhere --- that would be worthwhile.
IMHO not worth the effort even if "free".
Last time I had to pay for R&R for a very similar scenario, it was $800+ so consider your time as an $800 loss (at least). Shipping would be a further loss. I didn't have shipping because the shop was "local", but paid for three R&Rs (~ $2300+ in R&Rs alone) during a painful 70,000 miles of Vanagon ownership.
Don't let them touch it again - this could repeat in 12,000 miles.
Run, and don't look back.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Sat Aug 26, 2017 11:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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gears
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Posts: 4391
Location: Tamarack, Bend, Kailua
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 6:51 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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.. which is why I'll say to ng what I said to calfredson .. In the Northwest, I'd recommend German Transaxle. If I know a "Samba trans" is coming in for repair, I can peek at it myself to satisfy our group's curiosity.
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9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:11 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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Thanks for the responses!
Even though the milage is low I'm out of the warranty period on time. I could argue if I wanted, but I don't really want to do that.
I considered German Transaxle based on what seems to be a good reputation, thanks for the offer to take a peak gears. I'm pretty impressed with the stuff I've been seeing from you on the Samba.
I also got in touch with Barry at Werke 1 yesterday to get his opinion, and he has been using GoWesty for a few years now and has been happy with the results. He also offered to handle the process for me. I have a lot of confidence in Barry, and I think this will also help to expedite the process for me. I've got about another month of decent weather and my van is on blocks in the driveway since I don't have a garage it fits in. I'm really hoping to get it back and buttoned up before the end of September.
I'll see what I can find out about what went wrong, and update how things turn out.
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1986 Syncro Westy "Braunbaer"
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IdahoDoug
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Joined: June 12, 2010
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Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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Just to clarify something here. You have a Vanistan 2.2 engine which is a beauty of work and meticulous machining. But is has absolutely nothing to do with the transmission issue as Vanistan only does engines and extremely high quality accessories.
In your comment, I am unsure if your transmission was ALSO rebuilt by someone? If so, it would be of interest to know what work was done - a full proper rebuild or a repair of something previous that failed such as the classic 3/4 slider, etc.
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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 |
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Bleyseng
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Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:50 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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I say ship it to AAtransaxle as Matt does a ton of syncro transmissons. Why, he and his father shipped back from South Africa a container of oem parts. yep he does the job right and he or his deceased dad have built all my VW trannys for years.
My son just bought a 90 synchro and the tranny will be pulled and freshened up before the van is driven as it leaks pretty good.
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70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
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87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles |
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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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| IdahoDoug wrote: |
Just to clarify something here. You have a Vanistan 2.2 engine which is a beauty of work and meticulous machining. But is has absolutely nothing to do with the transmission issue as Vanistan only does engines and extremely high quality accessories.
In your comment, I am unsure if your transmission was ALSO rebuilt by someone? If so, it would be of interest to know what work was done - a full proper rebuild or a repair of something previous that failed such as the classic 3/4 slider, etc. |
To clarify, I mentioned the engine just because "what powerplant" is usually the first question when discussing a transmission issue.
The rebuild was in reference to the transaxle. I did have a full rebuild with non-stock gearing, NEW ring and pinion, oiling plates, main shaft bearing retainer, etc. which was done by Matt at AA. I did contact Matt but haven't heard back from him.
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1986 Syncro Westy "Braunbaer"
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=607112 |
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ng
Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011
Posts: 116
Location: Edmonton, AB
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| Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 7:07 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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So, I received my rebuilt transmission just over a week ago. I put it in last weekend, and put about a 150 km on it. Hopefully I have better luck this time!
I didn't get a lot of details about the rebuild. There was a problem with the main shaft bearing moving around, and apparently some damage to the low range housing as well. The rest of the internals were OK, so in the end it was a standard rebuild.
I don't drive it in the winter, so yesterday I put it away for the season. I'll have to wait until spring now to put some real miles on it and get out camping again.
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SteveMc
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Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 210
Location: Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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Ng, where did you end up getting the rebuild done?
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ng
Samba Member
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Location: Edmonton, AB
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SteveMc
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Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 210
Location: Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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| ng wrote: |
| SteveMc wrote: |
| Ng, where did you end up getting the rebuild done? |
GoWesty |
Great, thanks.
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Waldi
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| Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:08 am Post subject: Re: Syncro transaxle trouble-opinions/advice? |
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Sounds to me like a typical warranty case.
The bearing can only move around if they forgot the fixing part, or the lower gear housing was very bad.
If it was moving alot, the bearing shield is worn out for sure, and should have been replaced.
I wounder why your rebuilders dont show you pics from the bad parts while disansambling your boxes and the old/broken parts.
And again a failure that has nothing to do with oil at all. |
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