Leaking air cooled Vanagon
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:22 am
Hi All, and thank you for the invite!
I bought an 81 Vanagon in the springtime from Southern Cali and had it delivered here to Idaho. At 129k miles, it had at least one jug rebuilt, and is otherwise reliable save one issue. Surprise! it's leaking oil
First, the good;
-The Oil Pressure sender is dry, it was a replacement I first got the van
-the oil cooler is dry as a bone I'm pleased to report
-the oil tubes are largely oil free though one is sweating slightly
-the Oil filter is torqued down firmly and shows no signs of movement
Now; oil that I can find is amassing in a few points
-Oil in a sludge of sorts covers the oil filler neck and cap, and the sheet metal the license plate bolts to
-Oil seems to be collected at the bottom of the main engine fan housing and dribbling down the back of the exhaust
-Oil eventually works its way down to the oil filter and cooling fins before collecting in a small occasional dribble in my parking space.
-Running the heating, I get the distinct smell of oil. (P/O had a habit of starting and abandoning projects midway thru, I solved a lot o problems when I determined the heating system wasn't hooked up )
I've ordered a new gasket for the dipstick tube (no idea how to remove the engine tin just yet) but beyond that I'm hoping other than prayer you all have some suggestions. Most people seem to see "Air Cooled" and run away elsewhere on the internet. Thank you again!
I bought an 81 Vanagon in the springtime from Southern Cali and had it delivered here to Idaho. At 129k miles, it had at least one jug rebuilt, and is otherwise reliable save one issue. Surprise! it's leaking oil
First, the good;
-The Oil Pressure sender is dry, it was a replacement I first got the van
-the oil cooler is dry as a bone I'm pleased to report
-the oil tubes are largely oil free though one is sweating slightly
-the Oil filter is torqued down firmly and shows no signs of movement
Now; oil that I can find is amassing in a few points
-Oil in a sludge of sorts covers the oil filler neck and cap, and the sheet metal the license plate bolts to
-Oil seems to be collected at the bottom of the main engine fan housing and dribbling down the back of the exhaust
-Oil eventually works its way down to the oil filter and cooling fins before collecting in a small occasional dribble in my parking space.
-Running the heating, I get the distinct smell of oil. (P/O had a habit of starting and abandoning projects midway thru, I solved a lot o problems when I determined the heating system wasn't hooked up )
I've ordered a new gasket for the dipstick tube (no idea how to remove the engine tin just yet) but beyond that I'm hoping other than prayer you all have some suggestions. Most people seem to see "Air Cooled" and run away elsewhere on the internet. Thank you again!