Folks,

Just had to post a note to say, HOORAY, the Mystery Machine is back
from yet another round of clutch repairs, but this time it feels good.

There's no real reason to remember my saga though some may recall my
mentioning bad shuddering plus other clutch issues after one bungled
replacement... and then a less-bungled second.

But another try with another guy, Mike's Import Auto of Minneapolis,
yields success. I happened to be at his shop when he separated the
transaxle (not a sight for the faint of heart) and pulled out the
clutch disc. It was looked like obsidian, glazed to the point of
glassiness.

When it was all said a done he believes the culprits were: 1) a no-name
flywheel seal that was not seated fully and allowed a smidgeon of oil
to seep past, and 2) a no-name slave cylinder that was acting
strangely. How does a slave cylinder act strangely? I'm not sure, but i
can say then when i had my buddy out in Cokato bleed the clutch (i was
on the pedal) he said several times, "pump it again... it's not sucking
in fluid."

Anyway... my van is back home, the bill was more than reasonable, and
it drives like new. Despite the clutch issues It has already carried my
wife and i on two very good trips this summer... and we plan on taking
at least one more before we depart Minnesota.

Just wanted to share an "it's all good story."

-jspeer
'89 Westy GL "Mystery Machine"