Club 80-90 Forums

Hi i have a 1981 CU engine with a leaky push rod tube seal.
The engine was rebuilt and fitted and when it started I noticed a leak, I took it for the mot bought it home and has sat there since (3 month's).
Now I have some time off work I would like to try and rectify the problem.
When the engine was re-built it had all new tubes and they also had new seals when they were fitted but only one is leaking from the cylinder head end.
The question I have is can the tubes be removed without the removal of the cylinder head? And what would be the best treatment to rectify (new seals or sealant)
Many thanks for your time. Will

weston_masive wrote: The question I have is can the tubes be removed without the removal of the cylinder head? And what would be the best treatment to rectify (new seals or sealant)
Many thanks for your time. Will

yes you can remove them without removal of the head, and fit new seals.

Thanks for the reply.
Is there a how to? do they slide out of the rocker box? i have heard you damage them on removal is this true? should I buy a replacement?

Hi,

You will need new seals for this job.

1 Black one for the small end of the tube and 1 Green one for the other. Basically the green ones are less prone to go brittle from the heat of the Aircooled lump. I think VW Heritage sell the green ones. These dont tend to leak when fitted(I think they are neoprene rubber).

The tubes can be re used unless you damage them removing them. Best method I found was piece of rag around the centre of the tube and gently rock them and they will slide out.

Read the wiki..it tells you how to do it..

well put Mr Tug

Thanks very Much

Got to strip mine shortly..To do my Followers

Thanks for the quick response I shall give it a go

Just to clarify for anyone that reads this thread with a leaking pushrod tube, this only applies to Aircooled engines. On a watercooled you either have to remove the head or strump up the cash for a telescopic tube (not always successful). I still think it was a poor decision by Volkswagen to go this way but there you go.

Hello,

Avoid telescopics like the plague.

Do you have the wongly spring/wire in the cylinder head. This helps keep the pushrod tubes in place.

Don't use cheapo oil seals, you'll only have to do the job again

Cordialement,

And last but not least, don't use some kind of sealant in the hope that it will make things better. It doesn't, it makes it worse.