Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 12:21:55 -0500
Reply-To: David Devere <devereda@MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Devere <devereda@MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Advice on an Oil-pump oily gasket slow leak
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Ben- I had this same problem on my 87 syncro. It would only leak when the
engine was running, and then the leak was minor. I took off the muffler
and the protective fire shielding plate and had access to only the two lower
nuts. These are self sealing nuts with a washer on the back so it is
possible that maybe one or both of the bottom nuts is leaking. Anyway there
is no way to get to the top nuts with out removing the metal cooling hose
and no way to remove the plate without removing the motor mount. More work
than I was willing to do myself. So I put it all back together so I could
take it to the mechanic. In the process I torqued the lower nuts down to
the proper setting. Well that took care of it....really I am amazed. But
no leak. Honest. Just tighten the bottom two to the right setting and well
hope for the best. No leak now of over two months so.... also I have
logged of 800 miles since then with no leak.
I did drive over 1700 miles with the oil leak on a frantic trip over
two days and the only ill effect was, 1. oil consuption, 2. oil splattered
all over the back and 3. I do think the leak got worse.
Hope this helps you- Dave
p.s. your site is a great help to me. thanks
Subject: Advice on an Oil-pump oily gasket slow leak
> Hi guys,
>
> Well, I am leaving for my very well needed / awaited summer vacation in 5
> days!!!
> So I was double checking everything on the van this morning (after last
> weekend long trip = 600miles) and I found out that I have a slow, very
slow
> leak / humidity (not really a leak, no oil puddle, maybe one small drip
> hanging over there) under the back of the engine that seam to come from
the
> oil pump gasket, I am sure of that! (not from the rear seal crankshaft for
> sure). As my engine is always dry!! (All gasket and O-ring have been
change
> on this engine last winter except the oil pump gasket) I was surprise of
> seeing that small leak. But I have to say that it always been oily/humid
> around the pump. Maybe I am being just paranoid.
>
> 2 Questions:
>
> 1)-What are your thoughts about that gasket failing fast? (I personally
> think that it cannot really fail faster or leak more than it is now) Still
> there is a lot of pressure there!
>
> 2)- I don't see any easy way of tightening the oil pump cover 4-screws or
> changing the gasket without removing the rear engine mounts and rear
> protective muffler plate or maybe more. There is also no possibility for
me
> to do the job by myself on the road as all my engine mounts screws are
> stuck there in rust.
>
> If you have a faster way of changing the gasket/ tightening the 4-screw
> without removing all the rear engine mounts assembly I would like to
> know!!!! I don't see any easy way out. I can see that if I remove the
> muffler protective plate I maybe will have access to the pump
cover/gasket.
> Do you think so?
>
> I would like to know if anyone had and oily oil pump gasket for some time
> so I can be more secure about leaving that small leak for my upcoming
trip.
>
> Any advise guys?
>
> Regards, Ben
> http://www.vwvans.com/
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm
>
> ps.: Good Canada day or good fourth of july!!!!!
>
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