oil leak T4 anyone been here?

[Clatter]

Glad to hear you found something to try.
It's when you're out of ideas it really sucks!

One good thing about aluminum galley plugs,
Pulling and re-doing isn't an option.

Leaks or no leaks!
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Bus Motor Build

I have excellent news for the world...
There is no such thing as patina.
It does not exist!

[SGKent]

Thanks Steve - I thought that about the stainless also because they are softer than steel, but the Snapon hex sockets don't round, and they fit so well that there is no room for the hex in the plug to round either. I am hoping this is the last I will see of this problem. I did get a private message from someone on another engine forum that their machine shop stopped using steel plugs in aluminum anything because they could not control when they would leak. Sort of makes me wonder if many of the main oil seal leaks we hear of are really weeping steel galley plugs that have been put in. I'll know soon enough.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[SGKent]

closing in on it. Everything is done under the bus but putting grease into the cleaned CV joints, and bolting them on, and hooking up transmission coupler and safety wiring it. My back is killing me but hey, can't own a 45 year old car without a few bruises and pains, right? Then the stuff on top goes on, cat and muffler, bumper, add fuel and see what happens. Should be done tomorrow. The only downside is I ordered an access hatch to add while the engine was out, and it sat in the Newport News Post Office for over almost 2 weeks even though it was priority mail. Known attitude issue in Richmond, the IG found packages all over the place when an audit was done. No one wants to work. I could not wait for it to arrive because I go in for heart surgery in three weeks, and it would have left me with a disassembled bus for six months to a year. The PO cut up the deck and the body shop repaired it but there is welding underneath that has to be ground down for the access panel to fit properly, so the engine and tank have to be out to install it. Oh well. Just sharing. Everyone be safe.

And then see if the leak is stopped.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[SGKent]

All done except for changing 091 gear oil tomorrow, gassing it up and testing for leaks, fingers and toes crossed.

Links to subjects that came up along the way.

Schnorr washers https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=801473&start=20

CV joint torque https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=803305&highlight=

Observations on CV joints and how much fun it isn't (Scott at German Supply won this round. I used my Park bicycle stand to pack them with grease and his wire suggestion. Slipped a gallon ziplock over each when done and zip tied them on. Really easy to take off and put on) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=801542&highlight=

Gear Oil pump https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=803640&highlight=

Replacement trouble lights https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=803450&highlight=

Calibrating late VDO bay sender (impossible) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=777842&highlight=

Oil filter mount gasket 021-115-359A https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=802469&highlight=

Observations on return air flaps https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=803026&highlight=

T4 Alternator belt alignment - shims and a 9.5mm belt like VW intended solved the issues. (I hope) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=745176&highlight=

Oil has a finite life expectancy https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=802807&highlight=

Shroud removal and studs https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=802419&highlight=

Loctite has a life expectancy too https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=739734&highlight=

Use air pressure into the oil sender hole to put positive pressure into the galleries when chasing threads or looking for low pressure leaks https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=801959&highlight=

My buddy who oversaw the whole operation with his boundless enthusiasm. We think he was partially raised by cats based on his affinity for climbing on things.

He replaces Tim, below, GCH Suet's Dancing the Ballroom Blitz, who passed away last year at 14 from the nemesis of Scottish Terriers, TCC (bladder cancer). 1 in 3 scotties get it, 1 in 5 west highland white terriers, and a plethora of dogs like airdales all succumb to it. Sarah, GCH Suet's Dancing in the Heather, who is 13 1/2 now has been fortunate to avoid it but we know the odds are against us.

And last but not least for all VW Bus owners and their tenacity to succeed with their buses - Believe and you're halfway there - Teddy Roosevelt

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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[SGKent]

won't start. Tracked it down to broken wire at fuel pump connector. Have to repair tomorrow. What a PITA but it explains why about six months ago it would not start then it would. I thought it might be the double relay but it tested good. Better in the garage than pulling onto the freeway or something like that.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[SGKent]

repaired the wire to the fuel pump and it starts fine now. Will take it for a test drive later, maybe tomorrow, but it appears to be resolved. There were no massive oil leaks under it so at least I didn't forget a gallery plug or something.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[SGKent]

took it to the gas station to fill the tank. About 2 miles round trip. No drips so far. Let's hope it holds.
_________________
"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[TomWesty]

[SGKent]

[SGKent]

about 8 miles round trip this afternoon, 45 - 50 mph, oil up to temperature. Still dry. I consider that a success. If I don't make it tomorrow during surgery, at least in my life I achieved a non-leaking bus engine, which was one of the things on my bucket list.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[Abscate]

Pulling for you , Steve. Tell your surgeon no leaks are preferred, too.
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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[SGKent]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

Steve,

you'll be fine. If they can fix my abused ass they will do fine by you and you'll be able to drive that T4 until it leaks oil....because it will....you just don't have enough miles on it yet.

One side effect I had has been a raging boner. it's been 2 years now and I've learned to live with it. others....not so much
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[Shonandb]

Steve, how did things go? Are you now running as well as your Bus with no leaks?
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image

[skills@eurocarsplus]

^^^

he hasn't been logged in since the 7th. I hope all is ok. we were p/m-ing back and forth before his surgery and I hope he's ok
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[dodger tom]

i texted him a coupla hours ago. haven’t heard back.
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1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[Wildthings]

Hope he is doing well. He could be zoned out on pain killer of something and thus it might be a few days before he can do so much as log in.

[SGKent]

Appreciate all your love. Doctor took out a long vein from my left leg that is quite dark now as it will heal over the next year and the return path to the heart reestablishes itself. Also took out the vein on my left forearm and short ones on each leg, plus one inside my chest. Used that to create new arteries around the heart to replace the calcium filled ones. (I have the HLA-B27 gene that causes arthritis in my back. Always though the back pain was sports injuries but it was the gene.) So most of the recovery is due to the chest being opened, and the veins being gone. They put a mask on me Monday Morning 7/7 about 8am and I woke up about 2pm the next day. Actual operation was something like 8 hours. Recovery six months to a year, chest bones healing etc.. Can't lift more than gallon of milk for 4 - 6 weeks. No driving. Have a walker but do not use it. Shower seat helps shower. Got to shave first time after a week, they use body wipes in the hospital. Not a fun experience that I would recommend but we are better off than many people in our lifetimes. Thought a lot about the people here, many who wished me a speedy recovery. This place is a family whether we know it or not, and I think many people who buy buses don't know how many bus cousins they will have. Y'all are welcome here anytime you need a place as long as you work as hard as the nurses and doctors do to help others as you pass thru life. On a side note, my nurses were great and I miss them. That said, one in particular moved here from Ukraine with her husband and children less than a year ago. They lived near a bombed area. Her children still wake up in nightmares. I feel so fortunate today to be here still with all of you. God Bless and take care.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[Shonandb]

Steve. Good to hear that things went well and you are on the mend.
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*******************************
76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image

[Abscate]