Crank shaft (rear) leak.

[SurfT25]

Had a slight leak for a while but recently got worse.
Top up now and again but not frequently, filter and oil change soon.
Cleaned and run engine today and believe problem is as title.

Want to change seal but also dont want to drop engine- novice.
A. Is this possible .
B. Can I leave it for later date.
Or
C. Drop engine and change seal immediately.
Tia Peter

[airheadboxer]

Just one thought, when my seal was leaking I had puddles of oil in the engine mounting recesses as well which were visible from above just below the pulley and to the left and right. Or maybe mine was worse that yours.

To answer question A - If it is the rear crank shaft oil seal I did mine with the engine in the van on my driveway.

The only real problem I had was getting the old seal out. I'd seen videos were somebody flicks it out with a screwdriver, but I found it needed the the metal  "L" shaped reinforcing band inside the oil seal to be bent to release the pressure keeping it in place. There should be an oil thrower washer behind it, either leave it alone or just remember to replace it before you replace the seal.

So here it is in place:



And this is the state of it after removal, you can see where I had to distort the steel inner:


Hope that helps and good luck.


 

[SurfT25]

Thank you airheadboxer,
I too have puddles in the recess plus dried oil all around the back of engine.
This is what made me think it was the crank seal before it got worse.
Will tackle it with confidenice after your advice.

[SurfT25]

Eventuall, after starter removal and jamming of fly wheel

Picture mirrored

Crank pulley bolt removed.
Previous attempts with starter still attached, up on ramps and in gear (Haynes manual way) I realised my bus was slowly edging backwards off ramps

This attempt was unsuccessful even with wheels secured.


BIG problem now is pulley will not come off crankshaft.

Haynes manual described how to get bolt out but then states " Now remove pulley"
And that is it.
No mention of how to get it off in Haynes or Bentley (looked in wiki too)
Advice appreciated

Also while underneath saw name of Leon Thomas on my gearbox.
Anyone on here know of this person ?

TIA

[Stesaw]

You will need a puller to get the pulley off, plain sailing then.
Maybe you could use a prybar and walk it off but you'd probably damage something.

[SurfT25]

Thanks stesaw.
Did look on youtube and saw puller but all were for beetles.
Did give me the idea though.
Will try and make one using using that idea as engine is still in.
- metal plate hooked each end to suit diameter of pulley with bolt in centre ( main thread covered )to push/draw pulley off.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

You will need a puller......and...... a 1/4 drive 10mm sacrificial socket down the bolt hole to stop the puller from 'bottoming out, do not risk damaging the thread.

Although this is an air-cooled, the seal removal is essentially the same
From about 7:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4i211jyX38

Cordialement,

[SurfT25]

Merci beaucoup, sarran1955.

My pulley is the one circled

Therefore much bigger than the 1 on youtube.

Will keep it in mind though.

Cheers
Peter

[SurfT25]

As Baldrick says " I have a cunning plan"

Bought this lot from charity shop near me
( unwanted garage /shed items/tools)
Pulley I bought off maxstu, thanks again.

Made this ,need more practice welding

Very fiddly to assemble but on the plus side
it actually worked
Loads of washers against crankshaft end for bolt to push off.


Wobley pulley removed
Seal removed
New seal and replacement pulley on.
Thanks to everyone's help and advice,
I actually went and tackled it with confidence.

Thank you all
PS Is this the 2nd oil connection , buzzer of doom, I keep reading about?

[Stesaw]

As Baldrick says " I have a cunning plan"

Bought this lot from charity shop near me
( unwanted garage /shed items/tools)
Pulley I bought off maxstu, thanks again.

Made this ,need more practice welding

Very fiddly to assemble but on the plus side
it actually worked
Loads of washers against crankshaft end for bolt to push off.


Wobley pulley removed
Seal removed
New seal and replacement pulley on.
Thanks to everyone's help and advice,
I actually went and tackled it with confidence.

Thank you all
PS Is this the 2nd oil connection , buzzer of doom, I keep reading about?

Nice one, hopefully no more leak!. Yeah that would be the second oil pressure switch that's down there.

[maxstu]

Strange! 1984 camper with second BOD oil switch? Not original engine perhaps. They fitted second switch from 1986 onwards. Also, your dash may not be compatible with second switch wiring.
Good job making that puller. Have logged patent already!

[SurfT25]

Thanks both,
BOD noted.

VW specialist pointed to sealant on joints stating it could be a younger or reconditioned engine.
I'll check number soon.

My dash is a vertical connection, if that makes a difference.
Dont think I want the buzzer anyway with all the things I've read about them on here.

[maxstu]

Are you running early style cooling system?
I couldnt see from photos.
Perhaps a previous owner fitted a later engine to pre BOD system.
You could use that switch (test it first) to fit an aftermarket oil temp gauge.

[Cheddies]

Resurrecting this thread - sorry about that.

I have the same symptoms (oil dripping down, pools in the recesses) but it looks to be more on the left than the right, so I am hoping it is actually coming through the high oil pressure switch (which, as pointed out sits below and to the left of the main crank - behind the water pulley) - and have ordered a new one of the right colour for my 1985 DG. Worth checking there!

I only think this on mine because the pulley and behind seem dry (from getting my fingers behind it!) so - fingers crossed, otherwise I'll be back soon to ask about which puller will work to get the pulley off with the engine still in the bus!!

 

[SurfT25]

Thank you cheddies.
You might have just solved my problem.
I was too ashamed to mention that it is still dripping .
Thought that I had done something wrong.
Have replaced pulley and after reading your post I checked the pulley I removed and it is the same as yours - dry.
I will order oil pressure switch too.
As stated "fingers crossed ".
Thank you