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Tue May 14, 2024 12:18 am

1977 GD T4 engine, 5 hours running maybe. Took it out two weekends ago with florescent dye in the oil. One very slight leak is from flywheel area. The engine would need to come out to fix that.

The other leak is showing up on the pressure relief valve at the rear near the oil filter. I have not had time and energy to closely inspect it. That leak could be coming from the oil sender area, the plug above that area, the flange holding the oil filter bracket on, or the pressure relief plug itself.

I can see a thin line of florescence coming down on the side of the oil filter flange. This area has been a historical problem for me on this engine. The first flange I put on 14 years ago was using the stock gasket and a tiny smear of sealer. I torqued it properly, all looked good and about 10 minutes later I heard a pop. The seal had blown out and the flange broke along the line where the seal popped out. This is a different oil filter flange, and this seal was put on dry because they ooze out when sealer is used. It may be leaking from the gasket. Has anyone else encountered leaking in this area, and can the oil filter flange be removed easily without pulling the engine?

Let me be clear. I am 73 now and have some serious eye, back and lung problems that interfere with me just lying on the floor and even looking up into the engine. Both eyes have cataracts and the surgery to where I can see into a dark area isn't until late summer. I'd like an idea what I am up against before going out there to tackle it. If no one knows then that is Ok too.

Last, other than Robbie, and Colin, are there any other mobile mechanics on the west coast these days who are trustworthy to assist with things like this? I have no problem hiring someone to assist me but it needs to be someone other than Robbie or Colin.

Tue May 14, 2024 9:20 am

I had a leak that appeared similarly on the pressure relief valve. I haven't verified it with dye, but mine appears to be coming from the rear (rear is rear) main seal.

Just something to consider.

Regards, Mike

Tue May 14, 2024 11:49 am

There IS a metal crush washer trapped in that relief valve screw cap.
Similar to the 9 ft/pounder on the main sump/screen drain but 3x the size.
I'd get that checked/changed. And the one in the flange may just be a good ole' tiny welch plug dislodged. : ( if it isn't the rear main seal.
Fun times Ahead!

Tue May 14, 2024 10:08 pm

Wed May 15, 2024 3:48 am

Or you could just live with it and get a patch like this and put a piece of cardboard under the bus. :o

Wed May 15, 2024 8:04 am

Steve-
I don't post often here, but I have been doing all my own repairs and restorations on air-cooled Porsche and VW for more than 40 years. What is obvious to me is that you know your stuff, and anyone who comes over to assist you on engine work will be the one who benefits the most. Your knowledge and how much you contribute here and help others is appreciated by many on this website.
I sincerely hope the medical issues are quickly resolved and you return to full strength.
-Paul

Wed May 15, 2024 12:30 pm

Re read your post. Can the oil filter adapter be pulled with little effort?
I've never tried. But I will crawl under later today & keep your question in mind while I eyeball it & get back to you. I've kept the oil filter bolt-ons with its respective Type IV cases since I first messed with them in 1996. You'd think it's a simple bolt on, the odd gasket, two studs & two 13mm nuts with washers.
I use Gasgacinch on the paper gasket. Never lost sealing ability at that joint. Hmm. See ya in five hours or so......

Wed May 15, 2024 1:04 pm

crownline wrote: Or you could just live with it and get a patch like this and put a piece of cardboard under the bus. :o

THIS made me laugh... That's one for a VW I haven't seen before... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Wed May 15, 2024 3:32 pm

timvw7476 wrote: Re read your post. Can the oil filter adapter be pulled with little effort?
I've never tried. But I will crawl under later today & keep your question in mind while I eyeball it & get back to you. I've kept the oil filter bolt-ons with its respective Type IV cases since I first messed with them in 1996. You'd think it's a simple bolt on, the odd gasket, two studs & two 13mm nuts with washers.
I use Gasgacinch on the paper gasket. Never lost sealing ability at that joint. Hmm. See ya in five hours or so......

I'm back. Turns out washing the algae off a bus roof means taking breaks... ))
So it looks like the fan tube would need to come off the heat exchanger to reach the upper 13mm, the lower one is accessed after the filter is spun off. Meaning simple wrench for the bottom, ratchet & extension possible U joint for the top. (1976 F.I. 2.0L GD case)
Also looking at another loose case, there are three extra plugs/welches, two towards the #4 cylinder, one below, & the two standards facing the rear, usually the ones that get plugged/threaded when any case work is done. Lots iof potential leaks among those five plugs.

Wed May 15, 2024 4:31 pm

I can say from experience the oil filter mount can not be removed easily, the shroud has to come off, and maybe the cooler too, it's been a while since I did one in the bus: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=245805&highlight=shroud

Wed May 15, 2024 5:55 pm

I just resealed one last week. The shroud does have to come off. And, you might be able to remove it without pulling the oil cooler but why? A small vertical slit on each heater box and a small section bent down allows you to remove the shroud without removing the boxes. I know this won’t be popular, but otherwise you’ll be chasing exhaust leaks next or maybe drilling and extracting exhaust studs, not fun. One other thing, I’m not certain there is enough room to pull the shroud in situ; it’s tight with the stud length.

Wed May 15, 2024 6:03 pm

Here’s a good pic. Zoom in and check out the problem area prior to heckling me about my Rubewerks engine stand.

Wed May 15, 2024 8:12 pm

thank you all. I guess the engine is coming out. We lost one of our scotties to cancer yesterday so it will be a week or so before I mentally can do this on top of the back and chest pain. Maybe my cardio will have some answers on Friday when I see him. My CT scan came in the other day and said among other things, severe coronary artery calcification. That is the genetic back disease speaking. My dad made it to 86 like that so all hope is not lost. I had hoped to not have to mess with the driver side heat exchanger. Sounds like the work load goes downhill as more gets added on. For the record, really thin coating of Gasgacinch is what I used on the first one that blew out. Even let it dry a little. It worked fine when i mounted it. 10 - 15 minutes later I heard a crack and decided to investigate. I found a hairline break in the filter housing. When the gasket blew out it left a ledge the thickness of the gasket where the housing cracked along it. Since then I have spares. Since then tried using both the VR and brown paper factory gaskets there dry. Could be one of the gallery plugs above it is leaking or even the hose for the sender. I haven't thoroughly investigated it. Between pain and other my mind has been elsewhere. Word of advise. Don't grow old.

Wed May 15, 2024 8:45 pm

Mr. Kent , very sorry to hear about your Scottie. I lost both of my old dogs ( 17 and 12) in the last 6 weeks, and please take care of yourself. Staying busy with bus stuff is good for your mind, but your heart will ache on and off for quite a while. As we get older ( I am 74) our dog kids get more important to us than we ever thought possible. I’ll bet someone here will come to your rescue just for the chance to work under your guidance. Bob

Wed May 15, 2024 10:14 pm

I know a shipper that might bring your bus to Telford and I for roughly $650. He’s done a couple loads taking buses up and down California for what I think is a decent price. Once here, we’ll do the labor for free

Wed May 15, 2024 10:23 pm

Aeromech, I was thinking about you when I wrote my post. Thank you, Bob

Wed May 15, 2024 10:40 pm

Just spoke to Steve. He’s going to think things over

Thu May 16, 2024 12:16 pm

Gary thank you again, your offer is most kind. I love you all as brothers. Not sure what is the right course to set ahead. Working on it.

Bob, I am truly sorry for your loss.

Thu May 16, 2024 2:06 pm

I will be OK, and so will you…… in this instance, time is your best friend. I hope you take Gary’s offer. It doesn’t get any better than that, and you know it will be repaired properly. I would help you, but although I have worked on a lot of VW’s , I have a friend that has rebuilt all of my motors… and not an area of my skill set. It will all work out for you. Y

Thu May 16, 2024 8:57 pm

Thank you all. I was able to keep the 12 year old girl scottie busy all day. Had her tag along on all my projects and trips to the yard, even to water the garden. Cathy and I rebuild the blueberry cage to put over the blueberries to keep the mocking birds away because they are ripening. Sarah totally forgot about Tim until tonight when we were sitting on the couch. Once in awhile she would look at all his favorite spots and stare. I think they feel loss like many other animals.

Gary I do hope you wife is home and doing well. SK