oil cooler seals...once again

[69sback]

ok folks im sorry to beat this oil cooler thing to death, but i'm pretty frustrated. I believe I have the later style cooler and case, but please view the pics below and verify. The oil cooler is stamped and the case has about 10mm oil passages. The seals i'm using are the common seals used on the doghouse coolers. They are soft, pliable, and fit snug in the case.

Here's a link to my photos:

https://plus.google.com/photos/115732701725673114721/albums/5713504405290425537

The last time I had it all together it still leaked...not tons of leakage, but enough to where it would leak down on the cylinders and i could smell it. and over maybe 200 miles it would leak 1/4 quart.

THe only thing i can think of is that I incorrectly torqued down the bolts. What should I torque them to? the book i have refers to the cooler with the spacers installed so i know that's no good...

i can to see if the relief valve is stuck, but i doubt that's it.

the frustrating part is that it leaked LESS with the old seals!!! arrrgh! I should have never touched it.

I'm considering trying to use a little silicone to help seal it up...anyone try that?

So basically my 2 questions are..what should i torque the nuts/bolts to and is the option of silicone good or not?

Quick responses would be nice as I need to get it back together today!
THanks
David
[/img]

[Bobnotch]

Don't use silicone, and don't use the spacers. I couldn't find a torque spec on the oil cooler to case bolts, so you'll have to ask someone else on that. Yes, you do have the later oil cooler and case combo.
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[69sback]

ok thanks for confirming i'm using the correct seals!! That helps immensely.

I found the torque spec here...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=236499&highlight=oil+cooler+torque

5 ft/lbs. not much but i guess that's why mine leaked after this last install because i torqued them down too much...I hope I didn't ruin the oil cooler mounting areas.

I'll put it together and let you guys know how it works...

[W1K1]

I use the permatex hi-tack spray a gasket on the oil cooler side of the seal. Mine leaked twice before i did it this way. I spray the seal, let it get tacky, then install the cooler. If you install the seal too soon it will be slippery and won't seat, it will want to squish out.
It's not the textbook way, but it worked for me
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1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap

[69sback]

hmmm....the high tack spray sounds interesting. i might have that a try.

ok...so 5 ft/lbs is pretty small amount. i don't have a torque wrench that goes down that far. when it torque it down to what i feel like would be 5 ft/lbs the cooler still feels a little loose. is that about right?

[sharkskinman]

i have to do mine again also
the last time i did i didnt have correct seals and had to RTV them

but hopefully this week i will take the F.I. off and change them
as well as install a T1 alternator...maybe
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74 Mexi Swamp Thing. 70 square volksrod (Swamp Rat)..65 C10

[69sback]

how did you post those pics? do you host them somewhere and then insert an img html tag?

so i got it all together...i hate doing the job...3rd time now. put it all together but now i've got a nasty vacuum leak. I can close both carbs and it still idles. hehe I used all new seals, looks like the driver's side carb leaks air from the throttle lever....there's some serious play in it and the idle races (or chokes) when i spray carb cleaner near there. but anyway, it runs fine with the leak. hehe. i know i'm getting bad gas mileage, but whatever, i'll get to it another day.

I drove the girlfriend and I to grab a cheeseburger and a beer...about 10 minute drive each way...no leaks yet! I'll report back in a couple days.

I ended up using just a little RTV silicone on the oil cooler side. Just a little.

I torqued the bolts down probably more than 5 ft/lbs. I would guess maybe 7-10 ft/lbs? It's hard to tell....

[69sback]

no oil leak so far! and i'm using 10w40 now too....soon to switch to 20w50 since the weather is warming up...

[69sback]

no leakage from the oil cooler seals. I need to track down some other leaks next.

They key to doing the oil cooler seals correctly is not overtightening...

[ataraxia]

[sharkskinman]

Just upload them into thesamba gallery
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74 Mexi Swamp Thing. 70 square volksrod (Swamp Rat)..65 C10

[KTPhil]

Certain combinatoins of coolers and seals required washers, some didn't. Maybe you are masjing them down because a washer is missing?

Someone posted a comprehensive list fo the variuos configurations, can't find it now.

[sharkskinman]

whats the number on the case
cuz that cooler is a late cooler
(same number as my 71 cooler thats OG)

the seals that you should use are the ones that only have a small amount of back n forth in the holes in the case

mine were orange

Left is the 8mm right is the 10mm

i used the right ones and i have NO Leakage

the ones on the left will fit VERY LOOSE
the one on the right will have less than 1/8 inch play in the whole

these are the 8mm to 10mm seals
They have a angle to them

FAQ on VW Oil Cooler Seals
http://www.oceanstreetvideo.com/vwtech/OilCoolerSealFaq.html
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74 Mexi Swamp Thing. 70 square volksrod (Swamp Rat)..65 C10

[yoyoma]

Hello, where is the oil cooler and seals located and how are they accessed on a type 3? 1971 fuel injected, specifically.

[Mike Fisher]

[mcmscott]

[KTPhil]

[Mike Fisher]

VW TYPE 3 1500 & 1600 Haynes manual is also good & most of us have a Bentley and a Haynes.
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69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
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'68 Karmann Ghia sold

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[Bobnotch]

[Simon DeCasas]

What is he part number for the 10mm seals I get conflicting answers and are planning to run 10mm case and 10mm cooler, but I also have 10mm coolers and a 8mm case so I'm at a loss.