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ohiovw
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dodger tom 
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Joined: March 25, 2013
Posts: 2073
Location: Central Coast, CA, but we're all still Ukrainian and Californian
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 Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: leak - what does the issue appear to be |
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first guess. valve-cover gasket.
if so, no biggie. get used to it happening semi-regularly.
https://ratwell.com/technical/FAQ/FAQContent.html#0104
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1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled. |
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 42957
Location: at the beach in Northern Wokistan
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| Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 10:32 pm Post subject: Re: leak - what does the issue appear to be |
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What Tom said. It is either a valve cover gasket or the flywheel seal tossing out oil. I did have 1971 bus that at a lot of miles the case got a hairline crack in it on that side.
What commonly happens is that the valve cover gaskets stick to the head and the cover. Then when someone pries the cover off, that twists the cover and it will leak even with a new gasket. The fix is easy. Every time the cover is off and the gasket is to be replaced, fit the cover onto the head WITHOUT the gasket to see if it rocks. If it rocks then it is twisted. Then twist it to make it parallel to the head again so it does not rock. If one does this each time, it never gets bad enough that it can't be straightened by hand. It only takes a small tweak for it to leak because modern gaskets sold for the covers aren't as thick and pliable as the ones sold were 40 years ago. And old stock will be too hard to squish to seal. I have a spare set of covers that I glue gaskets to, so when it is time to do the valves I can toss the new ones on and clean the old ones at my convenience.
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 Canned Water - the new California approved parts cleaner (except in a drought in which case rub it with sand).
George Carlin:
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it."
Skills@EuroCarsPlus:
"never time to do it right but always time to do it twice" |
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ohiovw
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Joined: February 04, 2023
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2025 5:30 am Post subject: Re: leak - what does the issue appear to be |
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| SGKent wrote: |
What Tom said. It is either a valve cover gasket or the flywheel seal tossing out oil. I did have 1971 bus that at a lot of miles the case got a hairline crack in it on that side.
What commonly happens is that the valve cover gaskets stick to the head and the cover. Then when someone pries the cover off, that twists the cover and it will leak even with a new gasket. The fix is easy. Every time the cover is off and the gasket is to be replaced, fit the cover onto the head WITHOUT the gasket to see if it rocks. If it rocks then it is twisted. Then twist it to make it parallel to the head again so it does not rock. If one does this each time, it never gets bad enough that it can't be straightened by hand. It only takes a small tweak for it to leak because modern gaskets sold for the covers aren't as thick and pliable as the ones sold were 40 years ago. And old stock will be too hard to squish to seal. I have a spare set of covers that I glue gaskets to, so when it is time to do the valves I can toss the new ones on and clean the old ones at my convenience. |
I watched a few videos. Looks like the valve cover gasket is pretty straight forward. Any suggestions on a source for the best gasket? I don’t want to make the mistake of buying some garbage ones.
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-Will
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1969 bay window
build thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=802451&highlight= |
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71whitewesty
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Joined: February 25, 2010
Posts: 1574
Location: oregon
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2025 6:57 am Post subject: Re: leak - what does the issue appear to be |
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Just get cork ones at our local flaps. They should work just fine. It's an easy task and one that you'll get real familiar with as you learn about your Bus.
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71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer" |
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67rustavenger
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Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11595
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2025 7:31 am Post subject: Re: leak - what does the issue appear to be |
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| 71whitewesty wrote: |
| Just get cork ones at our local flaps. They should work just fine. It's an easy task and one that you'll get real familiar with as you learn about your Bus. |
^^^ This.
When you ask for the valve cover gaskets, ask for the Fel-Pro brand. I found that they fit very well and don't leak like some other brand name gaskets do.
Remove the valve cover, scrape the old gasket out and clean the mating surface of any sealant.
This is the point where many discussions have started.
I apply a thin layer of gaskasinch to the valve cover sealing surface only.
Never apply the sealant to the head side of the gasket. Just a thin coating of grease will assist with releasing the valve cover when you do your next valve adjustment, if needed.
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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!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin! 
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ohiovw
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Joined: February 04, 2023
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 10:37 am Post subject: Re: leak - what does the issue appear to be |
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Gotta love how simple it is to change these valve cover gaskets. 10 minutes and I was done and just used a rope to help pull the spring down. Very cool. Not sure if it's stopped leaking at the valve covers yet, but I'm hoping. I think I also have a leak elsewhere, but I'm going to keep an eye on the valve covers first, then tackle anymore if there are any. But there is a good large size oil leak in the middle of where the vehicle sits, which makes me think it's probably not the valve covers.
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-Will
—————
1969 bay window
build thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=802451&highlight= |
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