Date:         Fri, 5 Mar 2004 09:53:23 -0800
Reply-To:     Skip Emmert-Keaton <skip@SKIPEMMERT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Skip Emmert-Keaton <skip@SKIPEMMERT.COM>
Subject:      Oil strainer leak
In-Reply-To:  <200402170510.i1H5Ajo26572@bmoc.whinc.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Did my first oil change on the '80 Westy last night.  Thought I'd try a
little Marvel Mystery Oil in the mix since I really didn't know what
condition the engine was in.  Gathered all the seals and crush washers, etc.
Drained the oil, removed the oil screen and oil filter, cleaned all the
mating surfaces.  Filled the new oil filter full of new oil and screwed it
in hand-snug.  New crush washer on the drain plug, torqued to 16 ft-lbs (is
that the correct torque?).  Placed a new gasket on the oil screen, pressed
the screen into the hole, new gasket under the screen, replaced the cover,
new crush washer, and torqued the bolt to 9 ft-lbs.  I've seen the warnings
here, so I was very careful on the torque.

I added the rest of the quart that I used to fill the filter and one more,
then a quart of Mystery Oil.  Almost immediately, oil started raining from
around the screen cover.  Smelled strongly of Mystery oil and was very light
weight.  I added another half quart of engine oil and started the engine
thinking to mix the oils and hoping the flood would subside.  The dripping
did stop as long as the engine was running.  When I shut it off, the
dripping started again as before.  We're not talking about an occasional
drip here (which the van has done since I got it), but two or three drips a
second.  This morning I checked and it is still dripping about a one drop a
minute.

I'm afraid to torque the screen cover bolt tighter.  What did I do wrong and
what's my best fix?

Please respond to my email as well as the list.  I've temporarily
unsubscribed to the list.


Thanks for any help,

Skip Emmert-Keaton
1980 Westy <Ziegelstein>