Needing help in BC Caribou region (100 Mile to Prince George)

[gfmccann]

Clutch barely disengaging. I can clearly see fluid weeping from the slave cylinder so I'm assuming that's the culprit.
So...
1. Where is the best place to get a slave cylinder (meaning, the shortest wait possible)?
2. Anyone have a good spot they can share with me where I can do the replacement? (Naturally, I'm on a long road trip.)

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

- Gord

[Van den Broke]

I can't help physically, but check the brake reservoir fluid level, it may be low causing the problem.
The leak at the slave cylinder might the cause, but if you keep the reservoir topped up you might be okay for a while.

[Wildthings]

Maybe you could find a newer rig in a wrecking yard you could get replacement cups for the master cylinder from. No clue how universal such things are.

[dobryan]

As mentioned check the 'brake' fluid level. It also supplies the clutch and should be at the full mark.

Leaking slave certainly could be the problem. I assume you've tried pumping the clutch pedal to see if that helps.

I'd try calling the parts supply places in Canada and see if anyone can quickly ship a replacement (slave and master) to the nearest town post office for you.

I hope you get this resolved soon.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[jlrftype7]

While not close, they are at least IN British Columbia, and if called, can offer more help than I can from my keyboard...

Dr. Bjorn Auto 1-250-929-2277

3380 Kilipi Rd Cobble Hill BC V8H 0J9

appox 11 hours South of you Via Cariboo Hwy BC-97N, according to Google
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[harvgwen]

Werke 1 in Vancouver (maybe Richmond). Barry is very helpful.
https://www.werke1.com/
_________________
1986 Westfalia Vanagon, 2.2 Subaru
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

[AndyBees]

I had the same problem in 2017, a weeping Clutch Slave. No amount of bleeding would help the issue (clutch taking almost on the floor). We were on a long road trip. The issue began showing it's ugly face just south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

So, I tend to agree that if the Clutch is taking near the bottom of the pedal travel and the Slave is leaking fluid, that's the issue. When bleeding the Clutch Slave, on the rebound it will suck air back into the system.

And, as others have suggested, make sure the Fluid Reservoir is on the full mark.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[Ahwahnee]

It is quite possible to shift without using the clutch.

You need to either use the clutch to start moving or else start in gear lurching forward.

Once moving you shift by taking it out of gear -- easiest to do if you find a combination of engine speed and road speed where everything matches - neither the engine nor the vehicle are being pushed.

Then ease the shifter against the gear you want to select. Apply gentle pressure to the shifter and try to find the new (lower for an up shift) RPM that matches the gear you're wanting. You may have to hunt up and down with the accelerator to find the sweet spot. Suddenly, it will slip smoothly into gear.

It's a technique worth learning and practicing in advance but it really does work even if you haven't practiced before.

Edit - Okay here's a video that may be instructive:

https://youtu.be/4JnK6k1pl8I?si=O9NViE6RSkl6-aU5

[gfmccann]

UPDATE:
NAPA Auto Parts in Prince George actually has one in stock. That's 2½ hours in the right direction. I can get just enough travel to be able to stand still without stalling (after starting in gear). After that I'll be practicing my rev-matching / clutchless shifting.
I appreciate all of the responses.

[Van den Broke]

The clutch less shifting worked well for me on a rear wheel drive car with floor shifter, but was really tough on my car with a "three in the tree" when my clutch linkage broke a hundred miles from home.

With the ten foot long Vanagon shift linkage it might be pretty difficult to feel for the right synchronization.
Unless it's a Syncro!

[jlrftype7]

[gfmccann]

Update #2
Problem solved. The slave cylinder was indeed the culprit. Once removed I could see that the piston was hanging up a full inch down the bore. Not the happiest repair exercise squeezing under the van in the parts store parking lot, but it's done. And so the adventure to the Arctic continues.

[sanchius]

[joetiger]

[dobryan]

[Shonandb]

Good to hear that you got it sorted out. There are quite a few Vanagon and Bus owners in the PG area so I'm not surprised that Napa had one in stock.

I'm sure that you have it on your agenda already but Liard River Hot Springs is worth stopping at on your way North along the AlCan Hwy.
_________________
*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
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[CdnVWJunkie]

[dobryan]