Small hole in the bottom of crank case

[Fat Freddie]

Looks like a possible flaw in the casting that held up for a few years. The question is, can I use JB weld? The motor is running fine. I have a pick stuck in it to locate and it seems round and small.

[my3bugs]

does it leak there ?

[Fat Freddie]

Yes it's leaking quite good.

[Fat Freddie]

Plugged with a small pic. I guess I can JB it unless someone has a better idea.

[crofty]

jb might work but id assume you'd have to drain and clean well so there was no oil to mess up the bonding?
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Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.

[my3bugs]

JB weld gets bubble gum soft when hot , not sure thats the best product here . it might work ?

i used it on some lanterns and when it got hot it just lets go . but it wasent deep in a hole like this . i wonder about when you glue it up maybe find a small nail or something to tap in the hole , i duno just thinking out loud .

[Fat Freddie]

It's drained, hitting it with a powered brush. I'll look into a better product to use. It is a weird hole between fins and small. We heard an unexplained BANG last week but I don't know how anything could get between the fins. But there's another bottom end in the garage if this doesn't work. If anyone knows a good product to patch this thang I will try it.

[Eric&Barb]

Personally would drill the hole to at least a size for a 8mm thread. Counter bore the fins to make way for a hex head bolt to fit. Then use a copper washer to seal between the bolt and case.
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[Fat Freddie]

Thanks. That sounds good but the washer is maybe. I'm thinking threaded and hi temp epoxy.

[BonTonRoulet]

There are several places on an air cooled Porsche 911 engine where JB Weld is the commonly accepted compound to prevent oil leaks such as the chain tensioner pivot bosses that are a press fit in the chain tensioner cases.
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Never argue with an Idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

[Who.Me?]

I'd go with something similar to Eric&Barb's solution, but use a grub screw with thread sealant on the thread (e.g. loctite 577) rather than a bolt and washer. No need to make the area around the hole flush with the case to take a washer then.

The concern might be whether that's actually a corrosion hole, in which case the area around it may be thin.
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Andy


Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786

[Bobs67vwagen]

I would try a sheet metal screw just a tad bigger than the hole with high temp sealant.

[69aircooled]

JB Weld should work to repair a small hole/void on the engine case. There may be other products as well. The problem is lots of time these old cases will basically rot from the inside out due to condensation building up on the inside. Over time, years, that can build up enough to settle to the bottom under the oil and slowly eat away at the magnesium alloy.
You may want to drain your oil and pull the screen/cover and inspect the inside surface. A bore scope can be very helpful in making a decision on the path to go.

[Lind]

[Fat Freddie]

Thanks everyone. It's JB for now. I'll see what happens tomorrow. It does seem like it could be corrosion. I can still drill and thread if it doesn't work.

[KTPhil]

Maybe a J-B Weld smothered pop rivet could bite the hole and not need tapping?
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Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[RWK]

Drill it to 1/4" then tap for 1/16 NPT pipe plug.
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[BarryL]

Is it on the side of the engine that the thermostat bracket is on?