Just an oil leak, or worse?

[katnive]

Hi all

Firstly I'm a newbie and know next to nothing about mechanics etc although I'm learning as I'm going along! We've only had our van about three weeks and yesterday what was a small oil leak (that we managaged by topping up regularly) turned into a rather bigger oil leak that sprayed fine dots of oil up right over the back of our van as we were driving it, right to the high top. We cleaned everything down, although the van was still dripping. Topped up oil, added some STP as advised by a friend and, as per instructions, turned heater blowers on, which promptly caused a really bad smell in the cab and white smoke came out of the blower vents.

Two seperate problems, I should imagine? We hadn't used the ehaters before so had no idea if they were faulty. I'd rather tackle the oil leak first. I put cardboard underneath the van and there is spotting in several different areas. Taking to the garage this afternoon, but it's doing my head in not knowing if this is gonna be an expensive job!

Any help?

Thanks

Kat

[kit]

Diesel engine? The dots of oil is a common problem if your rear crank seal has gone, but it could be a number of things, you could try a stops leak additive but to be honest I have never found them successful.

[katnive]

Sorry - yes a 1.6 diesel water cooled.

It doesn't look good. The engine is covered in oil and needs steam cleaning before we can get to see what the problem is. After looking at extensive paperwork provided by the previous owner, it does state that the "turbo oil feed and return pipes heavily corroded".

Eek.

[noggintom]

Hi, Sounds like the culprit! You can buy replacements from Brickwerks...

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?o ... itstart=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Towards bottom of page. I have some for mine which I will fit when I next change the oil (before winter).

Do you know where they are in the engine bay/what you are looking for? The engine is at 50 degrees and the turbo is kinda underneath the van.

The feed pipe is solid metal and the return is braided tube and thicker. There is a picture of the return on the link above (yours will be black with oil I guess ). You should be able to find the feed line at the front of the engine bay (towards the front of the van) in the middle disappearing underneath the engine to the left side. See what it looks like. There is a P shaped clip which holds it to the engine I think - if this is rusted the whole thing will vibrate loose spraying oil everywhere. This has happened to mine at some point and been 'fixed' with some flexible hose and jubilee clips. It still leaks a bit.... hence why I will replace.

Hope this helps!

If this means nothing to you, go to local VW dealer and they can show you an exploded view of the turbo and attached bits on their fancy computer program. They printed it out for me and this made identification much easier!

Good luck,

Tom.

[katnive]

Even if this isn't the cause of the problem, seeing as it states they are in need of replacement, we'll probably do it anyway. Feeling a little more positive now.

[katnive]

Quick update - no more leaks

There were loads of minor areas of leakage that had to be repaired and the pipe that the dipstick goes into was spilt and in dire condition and was responsible for lots of the spraying...?

Anyway I'm happy cause it didn't cost much money and now we have no more oil puddles on the drive....for now...

Thanks all

Kat

[noggintom]

Good news!

I think the turbo feed/return tubes just need to be monitored along with oil consumption - if oil level is the same it isn't leaking

If it starts to look like they need doing you can get them done with the next oil change and get the parts yourself from Brickwerks or VW if you wish...

Tom.