Oil Leaks :-(

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virek
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Oil Leaks :-(

Post by virek »

Hope its ok to post so often in the advice section :oops: Dont know who else to ask for help :wink:

Anyway, as you guys know I recently got my bug back from a complete engine rebuild. Did over 500km's since.

When I got the car back, she had a very slight oil seap from the front pulley that runs the alternator - i didn't mind that for now.

But yesterday when I get to my car in the work car park, i notice a pool of oil on the floor - from my bug :shock: :(

Its dripping between the gearbox and angine :( The mech is going to have a look on Monday, could I have maybe used an inferior quality rear main seal - I got it from GW?

Robbie himself told me that the bugs tend to have oil leaks - dont think it supposed to be this bad.

Any advice :wink:

Thanks
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WestyT2
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by WestyT2 »

Hi , I am no expert, but how is your oil pressure and how much end play has the engine got ? If that's still fine it could be an inferior quality seal. Try to get Elring or Victor Reinz gasket sets from Germany, they are the best quality. But as I said , I am no expert.
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by fig »

Don't let anyone tell you that it's natural for ACVW engines to leak oil; that is the excuse of crap mechanics.

A well built and properly maintained ACVW engine should NOT leak oil. Oil leaks reduce engine life as they cover the engine in a mixture of oil and dust, which messes with cooling.

The first thing to do with a leak between engine and transmission is to ascertain whther it's engine or gear oil. Gear oil stinks, so it is easy to identify. As WestyT2 suggests, check the crankshaft end float (by pulling back and forth on the pulley). If there is any movement you have main bearing/case issues. Most type1 engine cases have been line bored too many times and are scrap. The only option for long engine life is to build with a new, uncut case.

Oil leaks from behind the pulley are usually caused by overfilling the engine with oil or a blocked crankcase breather; also excessive blow-by in the cylinders.
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virek
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by virek »

Thanks - its definitely engine oil. The oil seems to be over full. Will tug on the pulley and check for play - the mech did say the casing was perfect. This rebuild cost me alot - so he must sort it out. I feel the same way about oil leaks and was quiet surprised when I heard Robbie ( Beetle man ) a reputable mech say that :x

She leaks alot after a run and when the engine is hot. Once its cool the oil stops dripping :?

Hope its just a simple seal.

:wink:
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by calooker »

I only use Erling seals but even their quality has become questionable. I found that the best seal available was Angus Hawkins (SP?) but they are no longer available, they looked like a 2 piece seal but were not, the seal composition was of 2 materials and 2 colours. Erling are still produced in Germany but mostly in China, Victor Reinze only from Brazil now, and is not what it was when they came from Germany and have had issues regarding quality with them as well. There are several things I do to try and prevent leaks in this area, but have found with time regardless of seal used or attention to detail I have come to accept some will leak with time, you need to remember you are dealing with parts that are over 30 years old. Even when new parts are used you may have problems, had it happen to me with 2 virtually new Brazilian cast FW's, landed up not using either of them in the end, stuck with what works better for me.
This is what I do do prevent/reduce leaks and prolong seal life, on a new engine.
Before I start any work, all parts are super clean as is the work area.
If you look closely at all later AS21 engine casings they have 2 oil return openings to drain oil away from the back of the seal, so if I am not dealing with a AS21 casing I drill a angled 4mm hole under the main bearing as a return, to get the AS21 effect, no need to have oil build up behind the seal, this is done long before any engine building, even befoe I wash the casing.
Next step is to inspect the FW face and get the contact area of the seal cleaned up (the FW gets put onto a lathe and polished) thrust face gets done too.
The round casing edge also gets sharp edges removed with a blade, this prevents the seal from damage when installing it.
The seal then has it's "spring" carefully removed and carefully opened (unscrewed) I then cut about 5mm from it and screw the spring back and refit into the seal, this will increase the tension to create a better seal, the only tool I use here its the side cutters the spring is removed by hand no sharp objects needed.
Before I fit the seal I would have checked the end play and the correct shims and dowels installed, only then will I fit the seal.
Next step is to fit the seal into the casing, I use a proper VW tool for the job, not a hammer and plank as I see many doing.
I smear a litle oil on the outer edge of the seal or on the casing mating surface, the seal is installed deeper than the case edge until the rear of the seal almost touches the casing about 1.5 to 2mm deeper than flush.
I then fit the O-ring to the FW with a little bearing grease, again the qaulity of the O-rings is a problem get the best you can afford, you should look out for a smooth one that is grey in colour, don't try and clean it in any solvent they loose the grey coating and you will have a black seal in the end, I have no idea what the grey coating is, I am no scientest.
Oil is applied to the seal edge as well as around the mating face of the FW.
FW is then slid carefully into position and bolted to spec with some Locktight on the threads.
Take care and your time when doing this, you don't want any premeture damage. :drunks:
No sealers, RTV or the like is needed, if there is any sealer present in the area the previous builder had no idea what they were doing.
Hope this will help the DIY dudes out there.
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by Blitzkrieg »

*Saved and printed Calooker's post for future reference*
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virek
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by virek »

Really appreciate the info - Calooker, wish I had an oke like u building my motor :(

Saved as well. Thanks

:wink:
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Tony Z
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by Tony Z »

my 2 cents...

take the crank seal to a company that specialises in shafting, seals and bearing.... bearing man for example. Get a new seal from them that is the same dimensions.
Make sure they know it is going to run in oil!!!! Rubber CANNOT handle oil. The oil eats rubber. You need a seal designed fro oil, usually called Viton or Nitrile rubber.
Cal-looker, I personally wouldnt remove 5mm from the spring as they are designed to work at a specific tension to limit leaks, reduce wear ensuring long life and provide adequate lubrication to the seal. But I cant argue with your experience on bug engines.
After inserting the seal and just before mounting the flywheel, it is recommended to cover the sealing edge and the flywheel boss in oil. I personally prefer to use axle bearing grease as it stays put for longer
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by badbug »

As I stated in your brakes help, Robby-Beetle Man takes all for a ride and probably told you spares are hard to come by etc. Hope he didnt do the motor?
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Re: Oil Leaks :-(

Post by calooker »

Tony, take a couple of seals take the spring out and tell me why their lengths are not the same?
For what it's worth, ignorance has no limits ......
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