Can oil leaks really be fixed?

Post by **kathyshack** » 30 Apr 2007, 18:49

Quick question... my brothers camper has a bad oil leak. we have known about it for a bit but he's just been topping it up. hasn't been using it too much anyway. Took it for its MOT today and its failed.
The guy said the oil leak is dangerous and it needs the engine taking out to fix it. it also failed on binding brakes and emissions. The guy has said he can't do the work, so dave is in limbo a bit.
Once you've failed an MOT can you legally drive it? mind you tax is up tommorow and insurance next week!
There is a garage who might be able to do the work, but if its an engine out job, i'm wondering if it is going to be worth the money. What is the likelyhood that this type of problem can be fixed, or would he be better off trying to find a decent second hand engine to get fitted?

Money is extremely tight, so he is hoping he won't have to get rid....

Its a 1988 1.9 DG
All advice welcome
thanks,
Kathy

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 30 Apr 2007, 19:43

Depends where it`s leaking from on how hard to fix it will be. Why is it dangerous for MOT test? Is it raining oil all over the back brakes or something like that?? Sounds fishy to me.

The tester cannot just fail it because he doesn`t like something, it has to be specifically mentioned in the testers manual for it to be a failure candidate. If he`s just coming it, then if you want to appeal against the failure you can, just make sure that you are right and he is wrong

Once a failure sheet has been issued you cannot drive it, even if the old MOT hasn`t run out yet. The new failure over-rides the old ticket.

Post by **andysimpson** » 30 Apr 2007, 20:51

Westy.Club.Joker wrote: The tester cannot just fail it because he doesn`t like something, it has to be specifically mentioned in the testers manual for it to be a failure candidate. If he`s just coming it, then if you want to appeal against the failure you can, just make sure that you are right and he is wrong

An oil leak is not a fail unless on brakes.

A dangerous to drive is not the same as a fail, you can have a dangerous to drive advisory with a pass certificate.

Any dangerous to drive advisory/fail means you have NO insurance.

Post by **clartsonly** » 30 Apr 2007, 20:53

I am sure you can drive to and from a garage for repairs..? and obviously home after the failed MOT.

car tax and insurance will be the illegal things to do, but I think even tax can be ignored if driving to get repaired for an MOT and thus tax, just make sure it is booked in before driving.

year and years ago lack of MOT was not a police matter, they would take action if a car was not roadworthy they only notified the DVLA if a car had no MOT. also just because a car has an MOT it doesn't mean you can drive it, if it is not roadworthy eg bad brakes panels hanging off.

Post by **andysimpson** » 30 Apr 2007, 20:59

clartsonly wrote:I am sure you can drive to and from a garage for repairs..? and obviously home after the failed MOT.

car tax and insurance will be the illegal things to do, but I think even tax can be ignored if driving to get repaired for an MOT and thus tax, just make sure it is booked in before driving.

year and years ago lack of MOT was not a police matter, they would take action if a car was not roadworthy they only notified the DVLA if a car had no MOT. also just because a car has an MOT it doesn't mean you can drive it, if it is not roadworthy eg bad brakes panels hanging off.

Not knowing of a dangerous defect. Also ify on a straight forward fail, if you read the small print on the back it states you can be done for no MOT when driving home.

It also right what you say about having a mot and been done, if you have a dangerous to drive advisory no insurance and driving a vehicle knowing of a defect. It must have insurance to go for an mot but tax does not matter.

The whole system is a joke.

Post by **kathyshack** » 01 May 2007, 08:40

its on my mums driveway now. my uncle is going to come and do the brakes for him, then they need to figure out what to do about the oil leak. Insurance runs out on 6th and tax has run out today, so no real way of getting it anywhere to get fixed....

what i was wanting to know, was whether bad oil leaks can ever really be fixed or if it is sometimes better to just get a replacement engine. If he is having to pay to get the engine out to see, its quite a bit in terms of labour charges....

Post by **T'Onion** » 01 May 2007, 08:48

Kathy
best thing to do is try and find out where its leaking from
if its a push rod then let me know and i'll sort him a tele one out so he doesnt have to take the head/s off

if he can take the push rodtube cover off , either completely or just the lower two bolts and bend them back a little ,

get him to clean up the engine , put a large piece of cardboard under the van and leave it over night , at least then he will have some idea where its coming from

cant have the lad off the road , its nearly summer

Post by **kathyshack** » 01 May 2007, 10:21

cheers T'onion.

He's pretty gutted really. was looking forward to a summer with the van with his girlfriend, and now this! Gonna try and take a good look this week. I noticed it was leaking badly the other week when we all went away. It looked like it was coming from the sump thing, but what do i know! he he or him! he he. gonna get the manual out and try and see whats what.
thanks again
Kathy

Post by **HarryMann** » 01 May 2007, 10:25

Kathy,

T'Onions on the money, you abs. have to find out where its coming from first...

Post by **kathyshack** » 01 May 2007, 10:27

oki doki. going over to blackburn shortly so will take a batter look and maybe get some pictures.
thanks guys,
kathy

Post by **T'Onion** » 01 May 2007, 10:32

also kathy`remember WE are here to help out as well .. theres loads of members around to help .. even if its just to cast an eye over it ..

Post by **kathyshack** » 01 May 2007, 10:35

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 01 May 2007, 13:16

Hi Kathy I have a 1.9 in the back of me van wanting a new home I am asking £150 for it but you can have it for now and sort me out when you have the dosh. Maybe we can descend en masse on shack towers and wave spanners at it and get it to jump into the engine bay?

Post by **T'Onion** » 01 May 2007, 15:07

I'll be up for an engine swapping/fixing weekend

Post by **kathyshack** » 01 May 2007, 20:18

Ah you guys are ace.
got a bit more info now. apparantly the guy said oil leak rear (clutch side) oil seal, fly wheel side crank shaft...
My uncle is going to come and take a look at it and see what he reckons. he is a mechanic although not used to working on VW's. Will let you know how it goes on.
Thanks again!
Kathy