I took the van (1984, AT) to a local VW mechanic, Steve's Place, here in
Bend, Oregon, today to check into the "thunk" sound which I hear when I
take my foot off the gas. Last week it was suggested here that I might
check the motor and transmission mounts, CV joints, etc.

He poked and prodded and found nothing suspicious.

While he had it, I asked him to change the oil, check fluid levels.

Last year at this time he'd discovered that the differential was
effectively dry inside. The 17mm allen bolt was completely crusted over.
He suspected that it hadn't been checked in a long time. He topped it off
and it seemed fine, and seems fine now.

But today, he took another look and found that the level had dropped some.
There's no sign of a leak outside. He said that the transmission fluid
(auto tranny) looked discolored and proposed that there could be a leak in
the seal/gasket/whateveritis between the two.

A job like this is entirely outside my skills and tools and space to work in.

I asked him to quote cost to R&R and he said $350-$400.

Whatcha all think?

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR