Cleaning the engine to trace an oil leak

[Cruz]

Had a small oil leak for ages that seems to be gradually getting worse. Been around Ireland for 2 weeks and the loaded bike rack had a slight misting of oil on it. The underneath of my sump including the side behind the valance and around the nearside head is full of oil and gunk.

what's the best way to clean the oil off in order to locate the leak or leaks? would it be better to get someone to clean it for me considering that the only place I have to do it is in the back alley? Or could that be too harsh a cleaning method and create problems than answers?

[Ian Hulley]

Is this a 1.9 WBX or Aircold ?

Ian.

[Cruz]

1.9 wbx

Would getting the sump area steam cleaned be too an evasive procedure and create more problems ie dislodge seals, gaskets and damage electrics?

[T'Onion]

I'd tread carefully ,Like you have already said 'jet washing' or steam clean could open up the can of worms

Ok heres what i'd do
Get a load of old rags/towels and some gunk spray and get under the van and wipe away as much of the crap as you can ,
then spray the gunk onto rags and wipe some more ,
If your van has the pushrod tube covers on then they will need to come off ,either by unbolting them ( connected to the exhaust studs mmm nice if the studs snaap) or by cutting through one of the brackets and then unbolting the two bolts that attach to the engine block and then bending the cover out of the way ( you'll have to either spot a weld back onto the cut through bracket or something else) .
Then you can clean carefully around the pushrods.
If it is a P/R seal then you have three options

1 head off and replace the seal ( big job)
2 replace the pushrod with a telescopic one (easy job if you can get the part)
3 VW did make a collapsible pushrod tube extender ,that allowed you to extend the collapsed P/R in situ (never seen this done)