Date:         Thu, 2 May 1996 00:17:41 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Austin Silvester <austins@ix2.ix.netcom.com>
Subject:      Re: My new '87 Syncro Westy...

At 04:54 PM 4/30/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello All,
>		I just got back from a weekend spent working on my new aquisition.  I 
>haven't yet gotten any info on the camping equipment or the Bentley manual
so I have 
>some questions if any of you have the answers. 
>	My first problem deals with a small oil leak located around a plug like
object 
>on the pan of the engine directly below the oil filter. It is a (app.)
one-inch circular 
>recessed plug with a long narrow groove.  Is this an access plug to the oil
chamber, an 
>additional oil plug, or THE oil plug with the center bolt being another
strainer?  Also, 
>how do I stop the leak, how do I tighten it and should I be careful of the
torque.

That's the access to the oil pressure relief valve - when you remove that
screw ( I used the widest screwdriver I could find + 'help' from a 6"
crescent wrench) you'll find a spring, and on top of the spring a simple
piston.  The piston 'should' come out with a magnet: depending on your '87's
miles & oil change intervals, varnish may hang it up.  *BUT* it's not
necessary to remove it - just unscrew the cap, goop it up with pipe thread
sealant (*NOT* tape - use pastey Teflon stuff), & you'll be home free, no
mo' leaks!