Generator light flickering, oil in engine bay

shokwave2 Officially Full-On Dubber

289 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 1 Aug 2011, 4:08 pm

#854903

About 3 mins before arriving at work i pulled up at a set of lights and noticed the generator dash light flickering dimly. It would go away with higher rpms than idle or whenever accelerating.

At work i opened the deck lid and found oil on the left side of the engine, in a smallish puddle. Also notice the case below the oil sensor is also wet just above the yellow tin in the centre of the first pic, but only at the bottom.

By shokwave2 at 2011-07-31

By shokwave2 at 2011-07-31

My first thought was a leaky oil sensor, but after looking and touching it, it was dry. I looked down behind the pulley and also dry. The oil must be coming from beneath the tinware somewhere. Looks like i will have to drop the engine to find out exactly where, as i will have to remove the tinware behind the pulley.

Has anyone had a similar problem, or an idea what is causing the leak and gen light to flicker? There was no loss of power or odd noises while driving. Will i have to split the case?

The engine is a 1600 dual port, stock insides, 34 pict 3 carb, and a merged header with phat boy exhaust. Car was?is running great but will not drive until repaired.

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 1 Aug 2011, 4:20 pm

#854904

could be just the oil cooler seals under the fan, you just take the fan and housing out no need to take the motor out.

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shokwave2 Officially Full-On Dubber

289 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 1 Aug 2011, 5:02 pm

#854907

I was thinking that, but i only replaced them back in Feb. Hopefully that's all it is. I'm pretty sure one of the screws holding the fan shroud sits behind the intake manifold, which means too tight for a screwdriver. I'll have a look tonight/tomorrow.

bevoracing Officially Full-On Dubber

327 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 1 Aug 2011, 5:29 pm

#854916

*
My 5c says it turns out to be the oil pressure switch after all.
Carefully clean it up and run it again.
Good luck either way.
Tony

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hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 1 Aug 2011, 6:41 pm

#854939

fuel pump gaskets.....dizzy oring..pressure switch.....cooler seals

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 1 Aug 2011, 8:43 pm

#854969

I don't want to put the moccha on you but if none of the above it could be a split in the crankcase main oil gallery which is near the switch.

REDKG Officially Full-On Dubber

327 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Aug 2011, 9:01 pm

#854976

sounds like you have two problems. if it is the generator light then it could be the brushes or armeture need a clean ( run some emery over them whilst turning). the oil leak is another matter.

shokwave2 Officially Full-On Dubber

289 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 2 Aug 2011, 4:18 am

#855035

hellbugged wrote:fuel pump gaskets.....dizzy oring..pressure switch.....cooler seals

Checked fuel pump and pressure switch, both clean. The oil seems to be coming from beneath the tinware somewhere as there is no traces of oil above the tin anywhere, and it's to one side only.

grumble wrote:I don't want to put the moccha on you but if none of the above it could be a split in the crankcase main oil gallery which is near the switch.

I'm thinking maybe i should split the case and throw in a few upgrades. I have access to another car for 6 weeks so i should use that time to really clean up and do up my daily driver.

REDKG wrote:sounds like you have two problems. if it is the generator light then it could be the brushes or armeture need a clean ( run some emery over them whilst turning). the oil leak is another matter.

I think so too, but i think they're related as these two problems occured on the same day. I think an engine removal and tear down will answer these questions, and allow me to finally upgrade, as i've had no time to do it in the past.

I'll have a look on the weekend and i'm working 12 hour shifts all week.

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 2 Aug 2011, 6:50 am

#855037

Are the genny light and oil light wires switched over behind the dash?? that would explain why the oil and light are happening together.

Keeping it real !

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 2 Aug 2011, 7:37 am

#855041

silver wrote:Are the genny light and oil light wires switched over behind the dash?? that would explain why the oil and light are happening together.

Hey that's a good suggestion !!!

Easy to test too... just disconnect the oil sender, and turn the igntion on... the oil light shouldn't come on.

If it's the genny light that doesn't come on, the wiring's been mixed up at the bulbs.

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Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 2 Aug 2011, 7:40 am

#855042

btw - is it only on top of the engine, or is the underside all oiled up also ???

Most common "coming from under the tinwear" spot around there would be oil cooler seals, and that'd be a lot of oil before it shows up near that switch.

Also I've seen the sender switch itself fail, and oil drip out from the center near the electrical connection, so the switch itself, case etc. all stayed nice and clean and dry.

🥷

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

shokwave2 Officially Full-On Dubber

289 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 2 Aug 2011, 7:12 pm

#855115

Just disconnected wire at oil sender and turned key over, only gen light came on so wires aren't crossed over. Oil is on top of engine, bottom of engine is dry. Double checked oil sender near terminal but that is dry too. My guess would be oil cooler seals or i don't know. I'll drop the engine over the weekend to have a good look. As i said earlier a screw for the fan shroud sits behind the intake manifold, which is a pain.

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 2 Aug 2011, 7:26 pm

#855119

while the engine is out I suggest you replace the rear oil seal ,flywheel o'ring,and gearbox shaft seal, I always do these when the donk is out as they are cheap and easy.(I also replace the thrust bearing)

Keeping it real !

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 2 Aug 2011, 7:36 pm

#855121

what screw behind ??
when I did mine it was just Remove engine lid and hinge mounts the two 10mm bolts each side of fan shroud and generator bracket, unbolt carby.😊

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car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

shokwave2 Officially Full-On Dubber

289 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 2 Aug 2011, 7:41 pm

#855122

I replaced the oil cooler seals, rear oil seal and o'ring back in Feb, and the gearbox shaft seal in March. I'm thinking if i should split the case and throw in a few upgrades while i have a spare car.