Club 80-90 Forums

I have a 1983 Air Cooled 2.0L Devon which has for a couple of years had a very small oil leak (maybe a tablespoon on the floor after a run which then stopped).
After the last couple of runs it has worsened considerably; maybe half a cup full or more, and still dripping after a couple of days.
It's not the push rod seals (been done) and it appears to be from rear of the engine and dripping mainly from around the curved support crossmember thingy across the back.
The engine runs really well, but obviously it's telling me not to push my luck any more.
I realise this is almost certainly an engine-out job, but I wondered if there are any "usual suspects" that would fit this location and description.
My wife (who's van it is really) wants it to go in to be done "properly" but I'm keen on having a go at it myself.
She's worried it won't be on the road for the spring if I do it myself, and I'm keen to avoid any "i told you so...." scenarios.
Also, are all parts readily available for these engines, whatever the cause turns out to be ?

That sounds like the oil pump area. You should spend some money on brake cleaner, get it sprayed up there to clean the area and then find out where the leak is really coming from.

Parts are pretty much available

2 main possibilities, the front crank oil seal or the oil pressure switch, oil pressure switches leak quite often, 2 minute job to change, make sure to get the right colour, its tucked down next to the distributor, crank oil seal is fairly easy, engine in job, about an hour possibly 2 if your slow , try the switch first

davidoft1 wrote: oil pressure switches leak quite often,

Agreed, but this is a CU engine so no second oil switch at the back - I thought of that too and then realised there wasn't one

937carrera wrote:

davidoft1 wrote: oil pressure switches leak quite often,

Agreed, but this is a CU engine so no second oil switch at the back - I thought of that too and then realised there wasn't one

yeah ive done a few, the oil switch is above the oil filter, tends to run down the rear of the engine

Oil presure switch is accesible from the top of the engine. Box spanner comes in handy.

Mechanical fuel pump leaking oil?

davidoft1 wrote:
yeah ive done a few, the oil switch is above the oil filter, tends to run down the rear of the engine

Too much time on WBX's , the CU pressure switch is of course on the top near the oil cooler, speaking of which it could also be the seals on the cooler that are leaking

Many thanks for all the replies. Just going to summarise the possibilities so far in case I've misunderstood
* Oil Pump area
* Front crank oil seal
* Oil pressure switch (Near oil filter or near oil cooler ?)
* Oil filter
* Oil cooler
* Mechanical fuel pump

From what I gather from the replies, these should all be do-able fairly easily without removing the engine, is that correct.
Also, should I be able to diagnose/remedy all or any of these without removing tinware ? (not that I mind doing that, but don't want to do it if not necessary.

Hello,

This may help...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRXNqBHH-LE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Air-Cooled Bliss

The oil pump is fairly involved, exhaust off, engine hanger etc, could take a whole day, the oil light switch will take less than 2 minutes and cost under £5 oil cooler seals are quite involved too, the crank oil
Seal is an hour or 2 at the most

I would start easiest first

Oil switch
Fuel pump( but this is at the opposite end of the engine)
Oil seal
Oil cooler
Oil pump

Thanks again for that. That's great info.
I got under and gave it a cleanup and debunk, and I seem to have found the general location of the leak (at least the main leak).
See attached photos. It seems to be running from the oil filler tube onto the support/crossmember thingy.
Looking closely at the pics, it doesn't look like it's coming from the gasket on the filler pipe, unless its from the upper section.
Does this give any clues as to the source ? Is there anything above this that could be leaking and dripping/running onto this pipe ?
I can't see without starting to remove bits.

I would say you’re engine mounts have failed and the engine has sat in the oil filler pipe and worn a hole in it, you can get that oil pipe off without removing anything, drain oil first

Oh dear. Engine mounts sounds like an engine out job, or can it be done in situ ? Thanks.

Can leave the engine and in but exhaust, fan housing , engine bar have to come off

Ok. Thanks for all your help. Sounds like first job for the new year sorted.
Cheers.