nipper

DO yourself a favor, clean out the radiator as the first thing you do. The sludge will become glue once air hits it and clog the radiator. For this age vehical, I would look into getting a replacement or rebuilt radiator. nipper

There has always been a sock filter in the tank to protect the pump itself (it has large clearances). This filter never gets replaced. Then there is the secondary filter which picks up the smaller particulate. Look on one of the supplier on line for the second filter or give them a call. I see filters available a very high price, to high for a sock filter. nipper

Check for a clogged cat. Get yourself a vacume gauge and hook it up and see what it reads and what the needle does. Check the timing to make sure the belt hasnt jumped (or chain i forget which it has). Look for the basic stuff first. nipper

If the car started, and there was no loud BOOM followed by some excitement, the cat is fine. A word of advice, always keep an analog volt meter around. They are cheap, and digital is not good for everything. nipper

It will run, but it will be a real dog. nipper

VW bus trannies. There are kits for those. nipper

IN theory the waste spark system is hard on plugs, but in actuality, they can last 100K. V plugs or any plugs that have multiple electrodes are a waste of money, unless they are on sale. Electricty finds the path of least resistance, and once it makes that jump, it doesnt move around. Interestingly its usually always the same spot too. nipper

I would if there was one, but there isnt. http://www.endwrench.com/pdf/feb2004pdf/4EAT.pdf It uses two VSS sensors, one in the tranny (and i think in yours) one in the spedo head. nipper

(even if it is at an ungodly hour)

well ive never been, and it looks like the other half won't be in louisville again, so i am in. nipper

Remove the tank and give it a good scrubbing. There may not be anything wrong with it, its just old c***p thats trapped in the tank. nipper

Can we try something really simple first, when was the last time the oil in the tranny was changed. Get under the car and make sure all the linkages are working (and tranny mount and gear shift) are all tight. My old GL would do it ocassionally, but you know, i never thought much about it, i just wrote it off to age, as it would go into reverse the next time. nipper

radiator cap, ewwwwwww Head gasket? Cracked head? There are not a lot of reasons for the two of them to cross paths. Maybe a problem at the turbo seal. Have the system pressure tested first and see whats going on. You have to start by ruling things out. I dont know much about the turbo itself. I am going to assume it has both an oil jacket and a water jacket? I would suspect something around the turbo, where oil pressure is higher then coolant pressure, so the oil can get into the coolant, but not the other way around. nipper

Usually once they crack they are technically failed. Time to change them, or carry the spares in the back of the car with the proper tools to change them. nipper

Anyone check the PCV valve and its hoses lately? Some sludge at the cap is normal, as its condenstaion, a natural cycle of running an engine. Have you done anything to alter the intake system? nipper

Well the transmission may be the least of your issues in the near future got to love a good 300.00 car nipper

A bad finger will usually cause the tranny to pop out of gear, not an issue with finding it. Or is it popping out and he's not catching that? nipper

Start with the obvious, linkage bushings and tranny mount. The way reverse in a manual works, there is no internal reason for it to be there and other times not to be. It either is or is not. nipper

WHat happens when it is manually shifted?

Wow, i get something cheaper here in NY then all you guys in the hinterlands? nipper

i'm just used to paying 65.00 for a bttery with free instalation. nipper

er um, installed? installed? (sheesh its two bolts and a hold down) go to an autoparts store or chain they will install it for free. nipper

We make the mistake of calling a NSS an inhibitor switch and the other way around. Some of us over 40 do that. so shoot us. nipper PS So do a alot of mechanics.

Pull the codes (even if a CEL isnt on) and do a wet/dry compression test. When was the last time it had a tune up?

Any axles replaced recently? nipper