Pushrod tube leaks?? help please.

BASHOdi Wolfsburg Wizard

441 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 24 Dec 2006, 7:43 am

#560142

Pushrod tube leaks?? help please.

Hi all,
I'm looking at buying a 72 1600L it has some slight leaking from the pushrod tubes,I don't have a workshop manual so I have no idea how complex or hard (or straightforward) this would be to fix, can anyone tell me--

1/how difficult is this job to do ? is it engine out ? or can it be done with the engine in ?

2/How many hours (workshop) ?

3/ parts---new tubes or is it seals only ? + I'm guessin new head/ rocker box /exhaust gaskets as well---any others ?

4/ Given where the leaks are could this be indicative of any other problem -cracked crankcase or whatever ?

I would be most gratefull for any advice on this,
Cheers , Al .

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Dec 2006, 8:43 am

#560146

If it "IS" the push rod tubes it is "sort" of a pain.

The motor MUST come out and the heads off. Parts is bugger all, re use tubes with a good clean and stretch and new seals.

But it is a solid says work. 8+ hrs. Reckon a shop would charge $400??

Would be silly though just to pull the motor just for that.

You can get adjustable tubes that will get you by in an emergency if it is a bad leak

How bad is it leaking??

Weeping?
Dripping??
Niagra Falls??

Futue te ipsum!!!

jakjones Officially Full-On Dubber

217 posts · joined Mar 2004 · 24 Dec 2006, 8:53 am

#560147

Yeah.

point No # 4 leaky push rod tubes often means loose/ leaky cylinder heads .
Look for oil between the head and the Barrel , and @ the barrel and case .
If it still has the 10 mm studs and loose heads, expect a re-build soon.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 24 Dec 2006, 9:20 am

#560152

Most Push Rod tube seals these days are rubbish...
even from VW do Brazil....
You need silicon push rod tubes to start with...
I always use new push rod tubes and paint them so they don't rust...
You can use the old ones as someone suggested by stretching the old push rod tubes, so there is some tension on the seals...
I recommend using Permatex No3 non hardening gasket cement - coat both sides of the seals, so when they crack the Permatex will keep them sealed....
so coat both sides of the seals well....

If only one seal is leaking, You could replace it with an adjustable push rod tube with the engine still in place...
these are made mainly for a leaking tube....

but Yes its an engine out job....
muffler and heater boxes and fan housing and generator to be removed.
also renew the oil cooler seals... not expensive..

cheers

Lee Noonan

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

66deluxe Custom Title Time!

1,593 posts · joined Aug 2005 · 24 Dec 2006, 10:53 am

#560172

It is an engine out job, if you get new seals try and get Elring ones they are the best and use Loctite #565 teflon i haven't had a problem yet.

This is my Volkswagen, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Without me my Volkswagen is useless, without my Volkswagen, I am useless.

61 Karmann Ghia 2110cc type1 w Los Panchito's
66 Deluxe Beetle 2270 type 4
10 Subaru WRX Impreza

66deluxe Custom Title Time!

1,593 posts · joined Aug 2005 · 24 Dec 2006, 10:55 am

#560175

Where abouts in QLD are you , if you are in brisbane especially northside i would be able to help. Cheers Damo.

This is my Volkswagen, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Without me my Volkswagen is useless, without my Volkswagen, I am useless.

61 Karmann Ghia 2110cc type1 w Los Panchito's
66 Deluxe Beetle 2270 type 4
10 Subaru WRX Impreza

frenzix Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,742 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 25 Dec 2006, 5:50 am

#560294

im with 66deluxe on that

www.nkcrew.com.au

BASHOdi Wolfsburg Wizard

441 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 25 Dec 2006, 7:28 am

#560305

Thanks to all for the reply's everyone, and to 66deluxe & frenzix for thier kind offers of assistance (I live in Ipswich so you guys might want to think twice he he )

The car is in Sydney so it makes thing a little difficult particularly as the seller has now told me he's not 100% sure it is the push rod tube seals and at this time of year with flights being all over the place to say nothing of the loadings they put on the fares it aint easy.
aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhhh,
Cheers , Al .

BASHOdi Wolfsburg Wizard

441 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 28 Dec 2006, 12:17 pm

#560737

OK guys its loose heads, the current owner is going to get them fixed , now here's the thing-- is this a portent of far more evil things afoot with this engine or is it just an age thing, the car has done 100.000K's which appear to be genuine, the workshop that's attending to this is John Crawford Automotive I think they're out Brookvale /northern beaches (Syd) anyone know anything about them ?? They've given the rest of the car a clean bill of health--but I don't know them from a bar of soap not in any way being disparaging here just don't know them,
Any help most gratefully received,
Regards , Al .

76camper Fahrvergnugen

884 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 28 Dec 2006, 1:00 pm

#560743

Havent hear of John crawford but there are two other vw places in brooky, one called mackellar motors and another guy i cant remember.

But If the work is going to get done, i think your better off taking the cost off the purchase price and getting the work done yourself so your happy with the workmanship. Im not saying this guy is out to rip you off, but its possible he will get the cheapest and quickest fix just to get the car off his hands... be wary.

http://www.bytevision.com.au/dee/kombi/index.htm

BASHOdi Wolfsburg Wizard

441 posts · joined Nov 2006 · 30 Dec 2006, 3:58 pm

#561177

76camper wrote:Havent hear of John crawford but there are two other vw places in brooky, one called mackellar motors and another guy i cant remember.

But If the work is going to get done, i think your better off taking the cost off the purchase price and getting the work done yourself so your happy with the workmanship. Im not saying this guy is out to rip you off, but its possible he will get the cheapest and quickest fix just to get the car off his hands... be wary.

:bounce Avice taken and enacted-- thanks mate,

Cheers Al .

76camper Fahrvergnugen

884 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 30 Dec 2006, 4:09 pm

#561180

no probz, hope it works out well ;-)

http://www.bytevision.com.au/dee/kombi/index.htm

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 30 Dec 2006, 9:40 pm

#561224

loose heads are just a fact of life with 1600 twin ports
they seem to suffer it the worst of all motors
if its only a mild case u can usually get away with just cleaning up the sealing surface of the heads
but severe cases end up with pulled studs chewed out heads etc
comes with age but unsympathetic drivers who just start up and drive of like its stolen cause it in no time at all