TheSamba.com :: View topic - oil leaks- do any engines not leak?

Sun Jul 06, 2003 8:44 am

I know they don't leak- they mark their spot, but is there such a thing as an aircooled engine that doesn't leak? Does anyone have an engine that doesn't leak?
Is it pointless to try to stop evey leak- ones that aren't "bad"?

I was a jet mechanic in the Navy and all of the multi-million dollar planes leaked- especially when it was hot out. Any time planes were pulled into the hanger they had to have drip pans under them to catch the oil and hydraulic fluid. (just thought I'd relay a leaky story)

Sun Jul 06, 2003 9:08 am

Unless they have been properly rebuilt with quality seals they all leak some degree. You'll even get a little bit of a leak (a drop of a film) on the bottom of the oil filter in the best case scenario unless you overtighten the filter.

Largely the leaks come from the valve covers and the push rod tubes and this can be cured with some attention. You need covers with flak surfaces, new gaskets, a smooth flat head surface and a sealing technique (100% dry, grease and sealing products that cure hard don't solve the problem). Where possible, purchase brown viton seals. They are the higher quality used on Porches and have a longer life that the VW seals.

Oil sump plate: use a new gasket
Oil pressure switch: is it tight?
Oil cooler: new seals
Dipstick: new gaskets, boot cracked?
Oil pump: is it on tight?
Distributor: is there an o-ring on the shaft?

It can leak in other places but you'd have low compression if you did. The harder ones include where the case halves meet. If it's leaking there your case has been mishandled.

There is also a seal between the crankshaft and the flywheel called the rear main seal. Many busses leak there because the seal was installed incorrectly or they used a cheap seal. This seal is a nuisance because it means dropping the engine and removing the flywheel.

Personally, I don't like oil leaks because I prefer to use synthetic oil to ensure the life of my engine and each drop costs more on top of making a mess in someone else's driveway. Unless the PO was nice to your engine and you can get away with a little maintenance you have to watch for the leaks and fix them one by one.

Even with good seals, overfilling the engine with oil will raise the crankcase pressure enough to force it out good seals it's better to be between the lines on the stick instead of slightly above it.

Sun Jul 06, 2003 11:29 am

no oil leak= no oil! lol.
j/k

Sun Jul 06, 2003 11:11 pm

Hey, my oil leak is not normal when there is a puddle of it by the next morning :P

Sun Jul 06, 2003 11:44 pm

My motor doesn't leak and it was rebuilt in '84.
Well none of the oil hits the ground, I think it burns off faster than it leaks.
My tranny on the other hand...

Chris
74 Transporter

Mon Jul 07, 2003 8:56 am

I must be the exception to the rule. My 76 2L hasn't shown any sign of leaking yet and in just over 6000 miles I've had to add 1/3 litre. I think the motor is the strongest part of the whole damn bus.

Mon Jul 07, 2003 12:25 pm

I don't leak either. Just a drop that clings to the bottom of the oil filter.