Itinerant Air-Cooled

I'm about two hours away from Colin's 5th visit. I have an oil leak that developed after changing the clutch last year. It's also time to replace the engine mounts and the front shifter bushing (time permitting). Possible rain in the forecast today, but the sun is peeking out and I'm about to have my third cup of coffee... This should be a good day.

Have a great day! Looks like the rain should now be past you!
Good luck!

It turned out to be a perfect day to work on the bus (sunny, but not too hot). First, we replaced the engine mounts and were able to do it without having to remove the exhaust. My exhaust didn't look like it was in the mood to be removed so I'm glad we were able to pull that off. It looks like we were able to fix the oil leak too. The bus developed a terrible leak after replacing the clutch last fall so that was the main thing I wanted to accomplish this year. It looked like the front seal we also replaced last year may have been faulty. Hopefully the new seal will last a little longer than 100 miles.

Thanks again for your help Colin. It is greatly appreciated.

locoqueso wrote:
we replaced the engine mounts without having to remove the exhaust.
It looked like the front seal we also replaced last year may have been faulty.

Let's Review:

Locoqueso 2010


Locoqueso 2011


We have to stop meeting like this.

I am not at all certain as to the cause of your profligate leak. Everything was still way too clean from our last visit to the bell housing. It appeared to be coming from the front seal at the interface between the flywheel and the seal lip, but my intuition also sensed a disturbance in the VW Force Field at the interference fit between the crankcase and the outer perimeter of the seal.

We used exactly the same brand of seal all over again, a Victor Reintz in chinzy orange.
The only discernible differences between the old new seal and the new new seal was in the force required to insert the seal into the crankcase was far higher with the new seal (had to actually tap it in), and the spring tension around the lip was higher with the new seal. Sanded the flywheel/seal interface with 400 grit, used moly grease for break-in, and I decided to use Indian Head Shellac to adhere the new seal in the crankcase opening.

But more importantly, this is a very nice example of a 1978 VW Westfalia! It is originaloriginaloriginal!!!!

I hope I did not bend your ear too much during the kitchen koffee klatch!
Colin

I enjoyed our conversation Colin. I don't think we're all that different, just different ideas of how to get to the same place.

I do think that I made an error by not getting a replacement for the dipstick boot. I had a small puddle of oil under where the boot is located when I went out to the garage this morning. I'll add that to my list. Otherwise, the bus is running better than it ever has. I am very happy.

Amskeptic wrote:But more importantly, this is a very nice example of a 1978 VW Westfalia! It is originaloriginaloriginal!!!!

Indeed! Look at those perfectly stock waste heat exhaust pipes!!!

vwlover77 wrote:

Amskeptic wrote:But more importantly, this is a very nice example of a 1978 VW Westfalia! It is originaloriginaloriginal!!!!

Indeed! Look at those perfectly stock waste heat exhaust pipes!!!

Better still, his Inspector Otto I.O. and the 420 emission code paint on the engine tin is as clear as the BobD's. I am hatching a plan to enhance the BobD's with a carefully formulated weak white paint.
Loco . . . you have a serious piece of history there, I keep telling you ... like an annoying grandmother.
Colin

Amskeptic wrote:Loco . . . you have a serious piece of history there, I keep telling you ... like an annoying grandmother.
Colin

Sir, yes Sir! I am doing my best to care for and preserve this bus.