Trans/clutch issue, what you think?

I got a 81 Vanagon Diesel with a manual 4 speed trans. Its really hard to get into gear sometimes. Mainly after a long trip(200 miles plus). Sometimes when I go in reverse I hear a clunking nose(from around the trans). What do you think it is?

Thomas:runaround:

Not sure how this would have an effect on going in to gear, but the clunk could easily be a dry u-joint.

Have you changed the manual transmission fluid recently? If not, do so. Also, are there any noises associated with trying to shift in to gear when the transmission is hot?

-Rod

I added transmission fuild 1 year ago, it was a pint low. Only after a long trip(4 hours plus) it makes a clunking sound when in reverse and its hard to go into any gear sometimes. Do transmissions go bad at 135,000 miles? I would think having a 48 HP engine would be easy on it.

Thomas:runaround:

If it is hard going into gear, you might have clutch issues.
When was the last time the clutch was replaced? :2cents:

I believe every major conponent on my van is orginal, never rebuilt/replaced. Vans at 135,000 miles. Its have trouble going into gears after 5 minutes of driving now. I turned off the engine and tried going into all the gears, it goes in just fine with the engine not running.

it goes in just fine with the engine not running.

Sounds like a clutch problem..:shakehead

Did you check the fluid in the slave if it has one ?

No manual specifies a slave resivour, the master brake resivour is full.

Clutch is shot.