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1971 1600TP Beetle oil leak!

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helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#651130
Just sprung a big leak. Only had minor drips before, maybe a drip a day, now a 5cm circle a day.

I steam cleaned underneath and put a fresh piece of cardboard underneath. The leak is coming from the front (flywheel area) of the sump, just behind the gearbox. The pushrod tubes and rocker covers are all dry.

I can only assume it would be from behind the flywheel. I assume this would mean gearbox and or engine removal, flywheel removal and replace seal. Has anyone done or had this particular procedure done before? How many hours? What would I expect as a fixed price to repair this seal leak? Could it be worse, like a cracked case?
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Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#651168
unlikely to be cracked case - will be the seal

Most Sydney places charge about $250 for this - as long as they dont find trouble with the clutch when its out
Futue te ipsum!!!

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#651208
helbus wrote:I can only assume it would be from behind the flywheel. I assume this would mean gearbox and or engine removal, flywheel removal and replace seal.
Only engine removal..
smell the oil to make sure its engine oil and NOT gearbox oil which really smells..
most likely the engine oil seal..
which will cost about $12 for a good German Red seal.

this will be a good time to check the clutch and pressure plate - but if they need replacing, this is the time to do it as the engine is already out... and it won't take much extra time to replace..

best of luck

LEE

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---

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#651212
yeah I had to do this to an engine not long ago, hope you don't have twin carbs! Otherwise, it're reasonably easy if you have a-bit-more-than-basic spannering skills... have you removed an engine before?
Pay your debts, CxxT

phatratpat Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2005 ·

#651328
Is it engine oil ? I once removed an engine only too discover it was
the boots a leakin !! I know....you stupid boy !!🙄
made for easy fitment of the boots tho !!😁

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#651333
Ohhhh yeah it's engine oil. After a full triple deagrease and triple steam clean until it was as clean underneath as a kitchen saucepan (ours are not perfect) and a 15 minute drive and park overnight over fresh card board, I found a single 5cm circle of oil. I jacked it up, and the leak was what I would say was directly in the middle between the flywheel and the sump.

The boots (all 4) are dry with just a haze of dust, no grease or anything.
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68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#651338
You have CV joint boots
there isn't any oil in them, as You know

and if the gearbox seals leaked it would be off the gearbox
not the engine...

If You can do it Yourself then it will only be the price of the seal...
make sure you lubricate the seal...

cheers

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

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#651341
Should be about 2 hours work, While your at it replace the gearbox main-shaft seal as well, and don't forget the o'ring seal in the flywheel
I would also replace the thrust race as well
Silver
Keeping it real !

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#651344
Yes,
I would do all those things as Silver recommended
plus check the engine mounts...

if they have had oil on them they don't last long..
plus the quality of some isn't good...

it isn't worth the trouble to have to take the engine out
to replace the engine/gearbox mounts...

all these parts are not expensive...

cheers

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