Date:         Tue, 17 Oct 2006 20:04:01 -0700
Reply-To:     Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Nathaniel Poole <npoole@TELUS.NET>
Subject:      Re: <no subject>
In-Reply-To:  <000001c6f25d$5dd442f0$6400a8c0@MASTERPC>
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I hope it's not as drastic as that. There is only one upper nut lightly
seeping oil, so maybe that seal just needs to be replaced? I also noticed
that the studs had oil at their bases, but assume that they aren't exposed
to oil pressure and that it must have seeped out from the cylinder bases. I
also noticed that they don't all seem to be screwed in as far (more threads
visible on some). But compression recently tested 120-130 psi.
I guess the next question is how do I check for all this without completely
tearing the engine apart? For all I know the guy who last worked on it
didn't put new base gaskets in (he said he didn't know much about vw
engines). I only say this because he had the engine out and did a lot of
work without addressing any of the oil issues (two months later and the
valve covers leak, push rod tube seals leaking, flywheel seal leaking) Even
the intake bolts were loose!


On 10/17/06 7:30 PM, "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET> wrote:

> Your not gonna wanna know this but those symptoms indicate your engine case
> is most likely good for a door stop or an anchor, not an engine. At least
> not without a lot of machine work.
>
> The main bearing bolts should have a washer with seal at the nut end. Even
> without, oil leakage means the case is no longer held together at the center
> and the center webs have moved most likely causing wear of the facing
> surfaces. Tightening the case bolts will now distort the bearing saddles and
> the case where the cylinders seat. What, cylinders leaking at the base!
> Happened already. If the cylinders are leaking at the base from either case
> distortion or loose studs, (another failure) you can bet the heads are
> leaking on the top also. I have seen cases so badly distorted that the tops
> of the cylinders were off by 1/8".
>
> Not addressing these issues is the main reason most air cooled rebuilds
> don't last.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Nathaniel Poole
> Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 8:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: <no subject>
>
> I got my engine pulled today and have given it a good going over, and the
> typical leaks are there-pushrod seals, rocker cover and flywheel. What I
> didn't expect to find was apparent oil seepage from around one of the large
> upper crankcase nuts (main engine bearing?) and quite a bit around the base
> of the jugs, especially at the sides. I suppose the jug seals could be shot,
> but I just bought this rig and the guy had just had the heads rebuilt and he
> replaced the rings himself (I have the receipts). Is there something special
> about how the bases of the cylinders have to be sealed? Do the large nuts
> need to be sealed as well? My manual doesn't say anything about this.
>
> Nathaniel