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d3ac0n Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2019 Posts: 74 Location: SO-CAL
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 11:17 am Post subject: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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So I noticed a nice oil leak from one of my push rod tube seals on the side where it connects to the head. I removed the valve cover and I've attached pics of what I've discovered.
The one that was leaking looks really bad. The others look like they're on their way.
The seals are less than 2 years old. It's my first rebuild, the bug maybe has 200 miles on it since the rebuild, is this normal or what did I do wrong?
Also the oil inside the valve cover smelt like fuel, but whats weird was I smelt the dipstick and it had no scent of fuel. So no fuel mixed with oil in the case, just in the valve cover, what could've caused this?
Is it possible the fuel mixed with the oil inside the valve cover is what's eating away at the pushrod seals?
I already got some new scat spring loaded push rod tubes and seals but before install I'd feel way more comfortable with some guidance/advice so that way I can hopefully avoid this secenario again within the near future. Side note: All seals were installed with light coat of yamabond4
(Far right seal was leaking)
(No leaks yet but doesn't looks good)
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9753 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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You really don't need to put sealant on the PR tube seals. It looks like the sealant allowed the seal on the tube to slide around a bit.
TBH. I do put a little sealant on the seals. Just very little. Not gooped on.
Are the heads new? Or just cleaned up? Prior to the rebuild.
Spring loaded PR tubes are a bandaid.They get you home.
But really aren't a good idea for long term use. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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d3ac0n Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2019 Posts: 74 Location: SO-CAL
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:23 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
You really don't need to put sealant on the PR tube seals. It looks like the sealant allowed the seal on the tube to slide around a bit.
TBH. I do put a little sealant on the seals. Just very little. Not gooped on.
Are the heads new? Or just cleaned up? Prior to the rebuild.
Spring loaded PR tubes are a bandaid.They get you home.
But really aren't a good idea for long term use. |
Prior to the rebuild the heads were professionally cleaned. Forgot what the process was called but they came out looking like brand new heads.
Any idea as to why the oil under the valve cover smelt like fuel? |
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8699 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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Push rod tubes too long, or stretched too much before install?
I have never used sealant on a seal. That doesn't make much sense to me. Otherwise, what is the point of the seal if it doesn't actually seal? _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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d3ac0n Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2019 Posts: 74 Location: SO-CAL
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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Q-Dog wrote: |
Push rod tubes too long, or stretched too much before install? |
They seemed to be the correct size, maybe the push rod tube which created the bad seal came from the factory a tad bit too long? I don't recall ever stretching the tubes. |
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Starbucket Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007 Posts: 4023 Location: WA
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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1st rebuild so did you slowly tighten the bottom head bolts collapsing the tubes until you made contact with the cyl.s then torquing all the nuts per the manual? No sealant on tube seals as it lets them slip into the head/block as yours did. There is no oil pressure in the tubes so no need. Post a pic of how your breather is plumed as that is where the gas came from. |
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mark tucker Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2009 Posts: 23937 Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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oops. tubes to long, too stiff, tomuch sealer(non needed, just a slight amount of oil so it will slide into place) tubes at rong angle...pick you poison. |
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d3ac0n Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2019 Posts: 74 Location: SO-CAL
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:46 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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Starbucket wrote: |
1st rebuild so did you slowly tighten the bottom head bolts collapsing the tubes until you made contact with the cyl.s then torquing all the nuts per the manual? No sealant on tube seals as it lets them slip into the head/block as yours did. There is no oil pressure in the tubes so no need. Post a pic of how your breather is plumed as that is where the gas came from. |
I did go about collapsing the tubes correctly as well as torquing the heads correctly. Ok ill get a pic of the breather plumbing once I get home. The breather box is ultimately connected from the 2 valve covers to the oil filler tube I'm not sure how gas could've gotten in there? |
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runamoc Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006 Posts: 5599 Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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That's what happens when you use silicon on those gaskets _________________ Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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d3ac0n Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2019 Posts: 74 Location: SO-CAL
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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runamoc wrote: |
That's what happens when you use silicon on those gaskets |
Ahhh. Rookie mistake! Ok thank lesson learned! Still scratching my head on why oil inside the covers smelt like fuel. Is my breather box the only culprit? |
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d3ac0n Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2019 Posts: 74 Location: SO-CAL
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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Ok well I figured out why oil under valve cover smells like fuel. There's a very slow drip of fuel coming down from intake valve of cylinder 4.
I feel like this needs a whole new thread but just thought I'd put it out there incase anyone feels so inclined to chime in. Thanks guys.
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8699 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Deteriorating Push Rod Tube Seals? |
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Looks like your carburetor is leaking or flooding too. Time to investigate. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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