Date:         Fri, 29 Aug 2003 22:36:18 -0800
Reply-To:     Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Chase <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
Subject:      RoadHaus - Oil Leak / Final Diagnosis & Partial Fix
Comments: To: "wetwesties@yahoogroups." <wetwesties@yahoogroups.com>,
          ev_update@yahoogroups.com, Syncro@yahoogroups.com,
          vanagon@yahoogroups.com, vwcc@yahoogroups.com,
          vw-camping@yahoogroups.com
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Volks,

The RoadHaus Oil Leak saga seems to have made good progress..

Reminder ....

Rolled into Anchorage, AK with a sizable oil leak.

1st Shop - Accurate Import Center - owner/ AJ
Diagnosis,
- Cracked Case ... top area under distributor
- decided on a second opinion

2nd shop  - Eero Volkswagen of Anchorage
Diagnosis,
- Multiple leaks but they were not sure exactly where it was coming
from. Wanted to drop the engine.
- decided to get a third opinion.
- had them dump ir dye in the oil for a leak dye test to be analyzed by
the next shop

3rd shop - Artic Import Repair - owner / Bruce
- did a oil dye leak test
- Oil visible
> Under Distributor on top of case
> on left top side of Pulley/Crank
> Oil visible on underside of engine case
> large amt of oil dripping on cross member and ground

- Identified Distributor O-Ring as primary source of leak
> Replaced O Ring
> Old O ring was in two pieces and brittle

Road tested via 100 miles and several hill climbs.

* Fixed 2/3rds of the oil leak

> Top of engine case ... no oil
> left top side of Pulley/Crank ... no oil
> small amt of Oil visible on underside of engine case
> small amt of oil dripping on cross member and ground

Appeared to be a small amt of oil leaking from pulley and/or oil pump
area
had exhaust system dropped for a better look

Slight evidence of oil leak around Main Crank (Pulley) and oil pump
cover

- Changed both Pulley/Crank Gaskets (inner & outer)
- Changed both oil pump gaskets (inner & outer)
- retorqued everything

Results .... 75% of the oil leak eliminated

Still have a slight leak that appears to be coming from the engine case.

Since the only solution would be to split the case, that work is going
to have to wait.

Back on the road .... headed south.

I would highly recommend

Arctic Import Repair ... owner Bruce
512 West International Airport Road
Anchorage, Alaska
Ph 907 277 3399




"Don't let your Dreams be Dreams."
  - Jack Johnson


Larry Chase
Email: RoadGuy@RoadHaus.com
Web:  <http://www.roadhaus.com/> www.RoadHaus.com
Cell: 480 620 8966
What: North American Road Trip
How: RoadHaus - 1990 White VW Westfalia Syncro
Today: Roaming the Yukon & Alaska.