Club 80-90 Forums

Hi everyone
we've had our 1980 t25 for about 4 years now and love him. Have had various seals and the push rod tubes done over the last few years generally keep on top of everything. But now, this last summer, we have a massive oil leak, 175-200 mile trip and nearly empty. Stop, top up and off we go again. Its dripping from somewhere and burning off on the exchangers. when stuck in traffic, it like the batmobile smoke screen when we pull off.. I've looked but can't find where it's coming from. Seems to come from everywhere.
Does this sound familiar to anyone...?

My question; shall I just get a replacement engine, (from breakers, eBay or forum), moneys tight, or get someone local to drop this one out to find the problem taking into account that damage may have occurred due to the oil running REALLY LOW on a couple of occasions before we realised. But it runs really really well. Not failed me yet.

Any thoughts or comments welcome.

I'm in the west Midlands, Walsall

Many thanks, Jonny

Hi,
Sorry no suggestions as to where the oil might be escaping from but if it were me I think I would want to find out before I invested in a new engine. It might turn out to not be that serious. If it still runs and sounds ok then maybe no damage has been done.
I had an oil leak a while back and at first it looked as though the block was cracked. Eventually turned out to be a push rod tube seal.
Don

ye sounds fimilar push rod seals and rocker cover gasket

Yep sounds like push rod seals, order them from VW, normal O rings don't last long.

Over such a short distance I am guessing your rocker cover gasket has moved or perished. Take of covers and check is best advice I can give.

I agree, likely summat simple, as above ^^^^^

Is it leaking out from both sides about equal ?

Worst case is excess crankcase pressure, (usually caused by worn out rings and / or bores) causing oil to be pushed out of anywhere it can get out. A look at the spark plugs and a compression test will tell you most of what you need to know about the condition of the inside of the engine. If all is OK then you don't need to worry about another engine. (note btw, I personally wouldn't buy one from eBay - too risky and you will pay top dollar )

Oh and re excess crankcase pressure, check your crankcase breather for blockages.
This is the black tower looking thing by to the left of the Alternator and the tube that goes from it to the air filter.

Hi Jonny welcome to the forum and hope we can be of service

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 6&start=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57028" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Assuming your Aircooled Jonny check out the above links as its quite easyish to sort

Andy

Hi, thanks for all your replies.
Sound advice. Van's off road now for the winter so the investigation begins. :
Thanks, Jon

Hi i had a problem with oil leak, turned out it was the oil presure switch on top on the engine - cu Aircooled- it had failed and allowing oil out under presure. was hard to spot as it ran down from top . Worth checking out.

Hi Jonny,

Same as the last post, had an annoying leak - almost running not dripping. Spent 10 minutes under the van with the engine running getting cooked with no avail. Finally looked from the top of the engine bay and noticed oil flowing out of the oil switch where the terminal exits. Did'nt expect such a simple solution as a £3.50 switch and a hunt for a suitable box spanner.

Regards,

Mick.

Many professionals tend to avoid stuff like gasket goo. I agree to some extent in the basis that correctl machined surfaces will provide an adequate seal under mechanical compression. Tor me sadly Red Hermatite is now virtually unobtainable. Red Hermetite sticks like poo to a blanket and is quite impervious to oil and petrol. Plus it doen't bead up and find its way into oilways. I have witnessed two cases recently where professionally fitted rocker gaskets have been fitted or subsequently misplaced resulting in serious oil leaks just as described. I again find myself criticising the VW design team for only providing retaining lip on the outer edge of the rocker cover. My solution is to retain it in position while and subsequent to fitting by an adhesive gasket sealant. If you wish to maintain the design intent then by all means ommit the sealant between the head and gasket. I an told by a professional that cork gaskets should be soaked in hot water prior to fitting if you do not wish to use sealant. Of course this is only one of the many and devious routes the oil can find its way out of your engine.

Good luck
Wolfie