New van, please help

[Lakes vw]

Hi, I've just bought a 91 transporter today and took her for a spin to Keswick. In the first gear it is very noisy and same in gear 2'. If I hold gear shift down the noise is not as bad and nearly goes away. Gear 3,4, and 5 al ok and she travels along very nice at 55 miles p/h. Is this something that should concern me? And it I'd a bit of a screeching sound in that 1st gear.

Excited but also nervous at the thought of buying a duff van. All advice welcome

[Aidan]

if in doubt about the gearbox drop the oil and see what the drainplug magnet has to say but generally noise is not a good sign, gearbox should be unobtrusive in operation

[Lakes vw]

Hi, thanks for your response, I'm a total novice and would haven't have a clue what to do. Hopefully it's not too expensive repair?

[kevtherev]

depends how you determine expensive.
I guess you bought it without test driving it first?

[Ian Hulley]

Talk to the vendor and negotiate around a £700 discount, otherwise walk away and find another one having taken it for a proper test drive first. There are plenty of decent vans for sale without buying a pup with a duff box.

Sorry if it sounds harsh but .....

Ian

[Lakes vw]

What rights would I have to back to the person who sold it !

[dbz864]

none really,if it was a private sale,unless it was advertised as good cond or similar or stated smooth gearbox etc. Even then I wouldn't fancy your chances in a small claims court. Also depends on how much you paid etc.Was it expensive? Did you buy it,being roadworthy? Be mind full your buying a 20yr old van with possibly a lot of miles on clock.If the vans good apart from that and you got it at a sensible price,get a good second hand box for £300 and get it fitted.Then be happy and don't worry about the small problems in life.

[Lakes vw]

I was chilled about the van, paid decent money, condition is lovely. Just really wanted advice if anybody else came across same problem with gears. I know these vans are old and will need constant money been spent I'm under no illusions, but also wanted to know the cost if I had to replace the gear box etc, as I'm a novice
I will be keeping the van but will speak more to person who sold it to me as he only live 2 streets away!

[Ian Hulley]

but also wanted to know the cost if I had to replace the gear box etc,

As Adam correctly says a formerly appreciated (but of course usually unknown) gearbox is £300-£400, clutch and spigot bearing another £120 perhaps £150 labour (3 hours or there abouts) hence the £700ish I reckon you would be needing

Ian

[keith]

I would take it to someone who knows about gearboxes and get the problem diagnosed before you speak to the seller.....then at least you would have some evidence to base the conversation on.

[Lakes vw]

Will do, there is a vw specialist in penrith. As the days gone on, he'll of a lot more relaxed about after driving her around town. What a great drive these vans are?

[dbz864]

yeh don't worry about it,itl stop working when totally buggered.Its only a van not a family member.