Crank shaft oil leak

Post by **spascoe** » 17 May 2006, 19:37

My 1990 water cooled T25 has been leaking oil so I took it to a garage. They reported it's coming from the crank shaft, therefore the engine needs removing.

They say the problem with replacing the crank shaft oil seal is that the crank shaft might be worn. In this case I'd still be leaking oil after a new seal. They also warn that taking the engine out might break the exhaust and other unforseen problems.

I seem to have 3 options:
1. replace oil seal and hope
2. Get a reconditioned engine for an extra £1.5K
3. put up with the leak

What do people think is the risk of the oil seal not working? Is a problem like this likely to deteriorate?

Thanks.

Post by **Bendyknees** » 17 May 2006, 19:54

I presume that the oil is leaking from the rear oil seal(gearbox end)and not from the behind the front pulley. the problem is with a leak of the rear main oil seal is oil ingress into the cluth plates causing clutch slip and judder. 1500 quid is a lot of money to pay if the only problem with your engine is a minor oil leak. If the engine runs nice and smoothly with no bottom end rattles then id say ur crank is not so worn that a new seal would leak. Although make sure you buy genuine seals, i have had many problems in the past with logivity of cheaper seals.
As for the breaking of exhausts and studs ect. just give the monkey a can of duck oil and tell him to be careful. If it still breaks count it as preventative maintenance. if it wernt broke yet it probably soon would have.
If it was me id do the seal.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 17 May 2006, 20:32

elite VW in essex Recon £800 fitted. but as bendy says if its just a seal replace the seal rather than the whole engine.

Post by **wookey** » 18 May 2006, 20:11

when this went on my Aircooled cu 2.0 i changed the seal and all was well.

the trick i was told ws to drop the gear box off and change the seal that way you leave the engine in, was alot quicker too..

maybe you can do the same on the wassers ??

good luck

Post by **camper** » 22 May 2006, 08:28

Why does this garage tell you the engine has to come?I would suggest you obtain better advice by a well known VW repair garage/trades who no these engines.There are some excellent people on this site look at the links to them.

Post by **HarryMann** » 22 May 2006, 13:44

This repair has been detailed many times in the past...

If its crank end

Gbox out
flywheel off
Note shims
Use Genuine seal
Inspect flywheel seal running face for scoring
Have this smooteh off ona lathe/grinder if bad or
use emery tape, clean off grit well afterwards.
Lube seal lips before refitting flywheel carefully
etc.

This has some references to the seal job...

Wiki on cluches