TheSamba.com :: View topic - Quick and Easy WBX Oil Cooler Seal Replacement

Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:21 am

Thanks for the write up.

I don't the part in hand, so don't know if the end of it could be double nutted, but would an expansion bolt work to remove the pipe?

Neil.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:33 am

Thanks Nut :wink:

The expansion bolt was tried in another thread and snapped clean off inside the pipe, thus my call to Andrew to ask for other ideas.

I am sure there are plenty of tools that could be used, I went with the advice and the T55.
Snap On sockets of this size are $8 shipped off eBay, the internal pipe tool at Blowes, a POS by my standards, was $12+tax :roll:

Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:15 pm

cool. Thanks. Ironically, your procedure may help out on my Jetta swap. i see an oil leak near the oil cooler. IIRC, it uses the same or very similar oil cooler parts.

Neil.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:31 pm

Yes, most VWs and Audis share this same cooler and seal.

I have talked to so many since posting this and it really doesn't matter whether it is a Vanagon or not...great little ditty to remove the oil pipe from whatever engine it may be attached to.
The Vanagon Syncro gives the least amount of room to work, so those who have seen many different cars appreciate getting it done, in the driveway, while snowing...in under a half of an hour :wink:

Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:28 pm

There are a bunch of threads on the topic of "Just bought a Westy and what should I look at or replace?" Similarly, there are a few on the topic "Going on a long trip. What preventive maintenance should I do?"

Dylan's thread on this gasket needs to be linked to those threads. Great pics. Having suffered this oil cooler seal failure years ago in mid winter on a logging road, I could have used this post!

Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:46 pm

I will do my best to link it when I read those posts from now on.
That is a really good idea.
I am going through all of my WBX powered vans that have sat for awhile now, 1. to inspect the gasket and 2. replace any that look like trouble.
The ones I drive regularly and have owned for years have had this replaced at some point, when I resealed the heads most likely.

Placed an order today for more seals from VW :wink:

Change your fuel lines AND change your oil cooler seal will be the new mantra :lol:

Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:20 pm

insyncro wrote: Yes, most VWs and Audis share this same cooler and seal.

I have talked to so many since posting this and it really doesn't matter whether it is a Vanagon or not...great little ditty to remove the oil pipe from whatever engine it may be attached to.
The Vanagon Syncro gives the least amount of room to work, so those who have seen many different cars appreciate getting it done, in the driveway, while snowing...in under a half of an hour :wink:

Yep, did this to my Passat one Christmas. Thank goodness the local dealership was open that day. Plenty of room in there though, way easier than the Vanagon. Thanks for the tip on the T55, I'll have to pick one up for the tool box.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:26 pm

You are welcome.
Andrew was swapping out the same seal on a Passat when I talked to him.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:36 pm

Thanks for posting this Dylan. Like SyncroJael, I just did this. It took about 4 hours, 3 hours and 32 minutes was dealing with those stupid coolant pipes. It did not occur to me to remove that threaded pipe. I have 3 more vans and 3 Passats to do, so you are going to save me a lot of time. Thanks!

RonC

Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:38 pm

snowsyncro wrote: Thanks for posting this Dylan. Like SyncroJael, I just did this. It took about 4 hours, 3 hours and 32 minutes was dealing with those stupid coolant pipes. It did not occur to me to remove that threaded pipe. I have 3 more vans and 3 Passats to do, so you are going to save me a lot of time. Thanks!

RonC

Well Ron,
If billing by the hour, disregard this thread in entirity :wink:
Just kidding, glad it will allow you a little "me" time around the shop.

Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:53 am

I've had to do them in the van.. nice details.

I did the last one while the engine was on the stand getting new headgaskets. I had one blow out on a very cold day, like we've had recently. Luckily, it was in the driveway and didn't damage the engine. Just an environmental mess.

BTW, the EuroVan takes the same seal.

Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:00 am

mrlimbo wrote: Just an environmental mess

This is why I didn't even move the van and fixed it right there.
I spent more time trying to get all the oil up than fixing the seal.
Luckily the ground is frozen solid.

Damn those oil drippers...leakers :evil:

Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:19 am

insyncro wrote: mrlimbo wrote: Just an environmental mess

Damn those oil drippers...leakers :evil:

If its not leaking.. its out of oil! :)

Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:23 am

The sound a dry oil pump makes is worse than fingernails on a chalkboard.

You crack me up Jim :lol:

Hope all is well with you.

Get ready for Marcus, our next winter friend :!:

Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:46 am

mrlimbo wrote: insyncro wrote: mrlimbo wrote: Just an environmental mess

Damn those oil drippers...leakers :evil:

If its not leaking.. its out of oil! :)

I see you had an MGB, too! :)

Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:52 am

Just ordered up that T55 bit and the loctite 518 off amazon. Thank you for posting this. I do this job every couple of years as PM since we get really hard freezes here in MT and have had this seal burst before. Before this post i have always done this procedure the hard and dirty way, always dredding having to do it. Thanks again for the tips!

Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:56 am

candyman wrote: Just ordered up that T55 bit and the loctite 518 off amazon. Thank you for posting this. I do this job every couple of years as PM since we get really hard freezes here in MT and have had this seal burst before. Before this post i have always done this procedure the hard and dirty way, always dredding having to do it. Thanks again for the tips!

You are very welcome.
Glad to be of assistance.

Let me know what you think of the 518.
Just coat the seal all around and install.
In my experiences it really helps prolong the life of Orings and keeps them plyable.
It is tough to get off your fingers, hence the nitrile gloves in my list of needed tools.

It smells like candy, but I wouldn't eat it :lol:

Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:15 pm

Bumping this back up to say...

insyncro wrote: I am honored if this ends up in the FAQs / Stickies :D

...it's now in the FAQ 8) (was out of town for a concert and for some kayaking at Lake Mohave -- won't give the weather report :wink: -- hence the delay).

Also, all three of my VW's, spanning 3 decades and 3 very different engines, use this same oil cooler ](*,) and all three have been worked on: The Cabriolet's cooler was leaking externally and internally (oil mixing into coolant); cooler and seal replaced (not that bad of a job since it's an I-4). The van's was leaking externally and the hoses were shot; replaced everything at the same time, including the cooler... PITA! The Jetta's blew out the morning following a freak snow storm up north; had the O-ring replaced at a shop so I don't know how "easy" of a job it is on a 12V VR6 (dropped it off and it was done by the time I got back from a river trip shuttle a day later).

Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:22 pm

Thank you :!:

By the sounds of it, many deal with this pesky Oring.
This thread hopefully gives a few a leg up on the process to replace it.

Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:05 pm

how long does that O-ring usually last?