Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:28:47 -0500
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Rear Oil Seal (Flywheel) Leak
In-Reply-To: <CA+Spi21HeBLGw2GrHbGu-4XHTqXz1_W0=Ax4kteekaoWzNHD9g@mail.gmail.com>
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Jeff,
Never done this myself - but stood and watched it done twice on my 88
GL with the 2.1L engine. It is the only problem I have ever had with the
engine since it was rebuilt in year 2000. In each case - the repair was
effected by the mechanic with a new seal and some serious seal pucky to
make SURE it didn't leak. The first leak occurred one month after the
rebuild and just after a good break-in. The repair of that lasted some
80,000 miles. Second seal repair was done the same - and at 140,000
miles it's still holding. But I will tell you, the mechanic was VERY
careful about putting that new seal in. Didn't want it crimped or rolled
in any way.
BTW - if you had the flywheel face machined - did you check to see that
the pilot bearing felt seal brass bushing was in place in the flywheel
before putting it back together. It's a strange arrangement that VW
engineers designed. The felt dust seal for the pilot bearing is held in
place by that bushing which mounts in the flywheel. Machine shops
typically punch it out when mounting for machining - and it doesn't get
put back in. I think they assume a new one will be installed during
assembly. Without it - there is nothing to hold the seal in place, it
soon gets worn out, letting dirt into the bearing and the bearing fails
sooner than it should. Just something to know about for good maintenance.
Good luck!!
John
On 6/14/2013 10:09 AM, Jeff Lincoln wrote:
> OK, so this is just a general curiosity question because.....well I just
> don't know the answer.
>
> I just replaced the clutch and pressure plate in my 1.9. While I was in
> there I decided to replace the main oil seal too because it was leaking.
>
> Call it a first time rookie mistake but I did something wrong (I suspect
> the seal tore when it was being put in) and it leaks - pretty badly. So
> I'll have to do it again (joy).
>
> My question is this - why does it leak sometimes but other times it does
> not? I check it everytime I get out of the bus. WHen it's leaking it's a
> fairly significant leak. However, like I said sometimes it's not leaking at
> all. It doesn't seem to matter if it's a short trip or long trip - outside
> temp doesn't seem to matter either. I guess I'm just asking because I am
> curious and I want to understand.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>
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