Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I'm considering taking the engine out to do the Crank Shaft seal (GULP!). I'm pretty sure that's where it's leaking from. It's a type 4, air cooled engine on an 81 type 25.

I've never done this before and although I'll have some expert hands on deck on the day at Techenders, I was just wondering if anyone's done this and what kind of parts I would need?

Any links on the subject would be a help too.

Thanks for any help

Not a difficult job - more grunt and groan really. Longest part is taking engine out and putting it back in.

Thanks Covkid, I think I'm going to brave it! Never taken an engine out before

If the van has an automatic gearbox i suggest you read up in the haynes manual as they can be tricky to refit to the box.

You want support, two trolley jacks is nice. Haynes should explain most of it. Yeah don't be scared, do it once and you'll realise just how clever VW engineers were. Your engine is just a flattened down beetle engine with bigger bores but like the beetle is still mainly held in with three nuts and a bolt. Avoid doing it on a gravel path though - you won't be able to move the jacks around!

Actually, it is an Auto Gearbox, so better do a bit of reading

Will be on grass with some wooden blocks for support.

Thanks again

Could be very hard work on grass. Perhaps get hold of some thick shuttering ply to make things more easy to move.

Ah, OK, nice to know, thanks Covkid

Doing this at the end of October on me T25, let me know how you get on as any tips would be useful

cant help you with the crankseal bit, but, i have a 2ltr a/c i am also abouyt to drop the engine out, the only place i can do it is on gravel, just put a big sheet of ply down to lay on then you can move jacks around!

mine is also an auto, i have had the box in and out 3 times now, and to be honest it isnt differcult really, the hardest bit for me was trying to lift the gearbox onto the jack and balance it as i refitted it on my own! if you have help it is easy enough! Just make sure you unbolt the torque converter before removing anything, it says in haynes to tie it to the gearbox (through the slots in side) so it doesnt fall out, but i never bothered.

which crankshaft seal flywheel ( Engine out) Fan hub end ( Engine in)

If the oil leal is coming from behind the flex plate that bolts to the autobox apart from the crankshaft oil seal needing replacing i advice checking the end float on the crankshft .The Haynes manual will explain and how it is adjusted with shims .Reason why to much effects the crankshaft oil seal not seating there is also a blanking cap in the casing in the area surrounding the crank end where the oil seal is.Its not unknown for this to leak oil .