Date:         Fri, 1 Feb 2002 06:18:27 -0800
Reply-To:     Michael Snow <mwsnow@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Snow <mwsnow@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: vanagon troubles
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Correct compression levels, easy starting,  and excessive blowby don't
go together.  Does it leak when sitting, idling, cruising?  Have you
tried to trace the leak upward to find its source?  Does oil come out of
the dipstick tube while you are driving?

The single leakiest component seems to be the valve cover gasket.  Other
likely sources are the front and rear crankshaft seals, front and rear
camshaft seals, intermidiate shaft seal.  Some diesel owners have
reported that the breather unit in the valve cover gets plugged with
garbage over time and no longer adequately vents crankcase pressure to
the intake system, which could cause oil leaks.  I have used nearly a
full can of brake cleaner to flush mine out and could hardly believe the
stuff that came out of there.

Mike Snow


>
> I'm writing to see if anyone with expertise can help me.  I have an 82'
> Westy
> diesel that I love and runs like a top.  However, about a month ago I
> was
> changing the oil with the belly pan off and noticed several oil pan
> bolts
> missing and the rest pretty loose.  I considered myself lucky, replaced
> the
> missing bolts and gasket just to find that I suddenly had a significant
> oil
> leak (never leaked or burned a drop between oil changes changes prior to
> this.)  I eventually came to the conclusion that I probably had a blown
> rear
> main and promptly replaced it with care.  Didn't leak a drop until about
> 4
> hours down the road and right back to square one.  I did not overfill
> with
> oil and am wondering if this is a blowby issue.  The engine starts on a
> dime
> even in cold and has excellent compression in all 4 cyls.  With that
> being
> said, is blowby still the likely culprit or am I missing something else?
> What next?