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Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:50 am

Well, for now.
So since I got my car (66 bug) September 2010 is has been leaking from the engine pulley. Changed the oil frequency and kept my eye on the oil level all this time. Cleaning the engine bay almost daily.

Finally I have a garage to work on my car and decided to tackle this. I took the air compressor and after draining all the old oil, I air pressured the engine thru the oil filler, pressure valve and all the areas I could spray some compressed air. To my surprise (not), there was tons of junk clogging everything everywhere. Now, after a nice normal drive in the highway at 55/65 mph there is no sign of spraying oil in the engine bay and/or the ground after parked.

I ne'er a nice cold beer now.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 9:19 am

Mine usually stops leaking when there is nothing left in the crank case! :lol:

Thu Mar 15, 2012 10:06 am

Cheer's! I'll drink to that...err...after work that is!

So maybe the breather housing itself was plugged up? And even if everything was hooked up correctly that would be a resriction not allowing the crankcase pressure to vent. It's made up of sheet metal stampings sandwiched together to separate the vapor from the liquid I believe, lots of little areas to collect sludge and clog up.

Good to know. The best seals in the World won't stop an oil leak if the crankcase can't vent.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:12 pm

Third day and I have driven about 150 miles on highways. It is sitting in the garage with a white towel under as observation. So far no leaks. I am very pleased that I took my time to trouble shoot this problem, I would never guessed that the breather on the filler was closed shot. You can't tell. You have to blow lots of pressurized air into it a few times.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:36 pm

if it's leaking from the pulley, are you sure your case isn't cut for a sand seal?

Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:43 pm

It is an all original 67 engine.
As soon I cleaned the blocked area the pressure was released and stop leaking. Amazing engineering.

Thu Mar 15, 2012 6:40 pm

drscope wrote: Mine usually stops leaking when there is nothing left in the crank case! :lol:
That was my first thought when I read the title. But glad to know a good cleaning works

Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:49 pm

Now you've jinxed it !!! Run out right now and spill some Valvoline all over it !!!

Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:20 am

I got my favorite beetle, a 1962, older than me!! I may look older, but, at least now, after I traded a guy a cool front end for a chopper he changed my transmission, and now, I have a leak free transmission, the previous transmission would leak all but one pint, the only reason I did not fix the leaks, it would lose a cotter pin occasionally, which meant a bad bearing deep inside the axle, I really just wanted my favorite beetle to be as cool as it looked, which meant keeping the disc brakes in the back, I knew that it was not just a quick swap, but, my disc brakes are there, and the transmission does not leak, it i lowered just as much as before, pretty low, I only scrape the speed bumps in the kohl's parking lot in lodi, calif, but now, I can drive as far as I want!!!I have a very reliable old beetle that is a go-cart!! and a go-cart it is!!!!! The reason I had someone change my transmission, I am severely disabled, but, I still have lots of rare and unique toys that only a few folks have a desire for!!! way cool to have those toys fix my other toys!! oh, and I do not work a regular job, I have been certified permanently disabled, and social security pays all my bills, pharmacy included!!!! right now, it seems fun, lets see what I tun into with my health next!!!!! May God's will be done!!!!in God's speed

Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:10 am

Cusser wrote: Now you've jinxed it !!! Run out right now and spill some Valvoline all over it !!!

I know, it feels so weird. I have had thre bugs since 1984 and they all leaked in one way or another. No matter how well I tuned them. I found myself this morning sliding a piece of cardboard under the car because I am so used to it.