Oil Slinger-What It Is, What Can Happen, and How To Fix It.

[?Waldo?]

I've seen several folks comment that the part is not a slinger. I actually agree that the term 'slinger' usually refers to a part of a shaft or a part on a shaft that rotates with the shaft. That said, I'm not sure what would be a better and more recognizable term for this part of the bell housing. The riffles on the inside coupled with the rotation of the shaft 'sling' the oil away from the seal. If someone wants to come up with a more appropriate and more recognizable name for that part, I'll be happy to change the term I use. Until then, I will continue to use the term 'oil slinger' despite it being a bit of a misnomer.

I see the term 'intercooler' bandied around despite ther only ever being a single charging device installed. I even use the term 'intercooler' despite it being a misnomer because most folks know what is being talked about despite it being technically incorrect. 'Moot' also doesn't mean 'irrelevant', 'whom' should be used in the accusative case and the nominative case should follow the verb 'to be'... "Are these they?"...
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I am a high-functioning autistic into VW diesels and Vanagons along with other things that are unrelated to this site.

[Waldi]

I also clew the "slinger" with fluid metal when its loose.
Very important is not to fix the clutch shaft to the end. The shaft has to move. If it is screwed to the end without moving the pilot bearing will be destroyed quickly.

[chazz79]

[?Waldo?]

The input shaft should not contact the slinger or any alternative bushing and IMO if you don't have the rifling inside the bore it would likely be better to just leave the insert out entirely than to add an un-rifled bushing. The un-rifled bushing would do nothing other than get in the way of oil returning to the trans from the seal area. Maybe drill a tiny hole at the low point of the seal bore to let fluid drain from the seal as typical in many other applications.
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I am a high-functioning autistic into VW diesels and Vanagons along with other things that are unrelated to this site.

[Chalklinedetail]

I am really interested in this thread, but the pictures don't show. Have you moved them? Please help, thanks!

[dhaavers]

Not the same exact pics, but basically the oil slinger is here:

...which is behind the input shaft seal:

...which is behind the t/b guide:

FWIW, these are all from the Samba gallery, so they should be safe here...

PS: Anyone know anything about Andrew's pics? ...lost forever, or...???
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[vanonimous]

Thanks for posting this. I happened to be at the input side of transmission of my syncro looking for things to fix when I stumbled upon this. My slinger seems firmly in place and pilot bearing hasn't failed but I wonder what is life span of the pilot bearing?
What does this felt piece look like I don't see one here? Has someone made anything better other then sealed pilot bearing?

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If happiness is being a mechanic, owning a Vanagon is nirvana.

Lighting upgrades: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=578291

[benandmj]

Excellent info here. I do wish Mr. Libby's pics were visible. I'm not looking forward to diving in to this...
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85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy

[Frankie Pintado]

Earlier today I was replacing the the clutch on my '85 gl. This being my first time having the trans out on a vanagon, I just planned on replacing the input shaft seal and rear main seal. The input shaft seal was wrong. Annoyed, I left the trans out to wait for the correct one. Now I'm reading this and thinking this may have been a good thing. I'll be checking it when I get back. Thanks.
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1972 Karmann Ghia, 1985 Vanagon GL, 1989 Cabriolet

[xflyer]

Engineering talk would call the part an "oil return thread". Most everyone that has worked on vans before 1972 model year and all air cooled bugs will be familiar with this as it used on the crankshaft pulley.
Only difference is, on the pulley the thread turns, and on the transaxle the shaft turns. The oil does not care about this and is happy to be 'screwed' back to where it belongs.
One other cause of the needle pilot bearing to wear out/fail is "riding the clutch". Whenever the clutch pedal is pushed down, even part way, there is relative motion between the crankshaft and the transaxle input shaft. Hence the pilot bearing is turning. When the clutch is fully engaged, foot off the pedal, there is no motion and the bearing will probably last forever.
Where this can go wrong is drivers that come to a stop sign or red light and wait with the trans in gear and the clutch pedal pushed down. Then the pilot bearing is spinning the whole time. This will wear that bearing out much quicker than waiting in neutral.
When I was working on these full time, whenever the engine or trans was out the pilot bearing was inspected. If it was found good it was lubed with bearing grease and the felt 'seal' that fits in the flywhl was checked to make sure it was there.
Whenever a clutch was replaced pilot bearing was also changed. Old one can be removed by filling end of crank with thick grease and tapping close fitting shaft into bearing. Bearing will pop right out or add more grease.
I used an old input shaft.
Also I have seen quite a few of the pilot bearings completely destroyed with the needles falling out and rusty. Worst case is the needles jam around the input shaft then clutch does not matter because shaft is stuck to crank. Very hard to drive or shift.
When the bearing is this bad a rotary tool can be used to grind away part of the outer race in the crank. Then the bearing will come out as there is no more press fit.
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1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C

[epowell]

It's a pity those pics no longer exist, but anyway I will certainly check this out once there.... thanks!

[?Waldo?]

More recently I found that oversize replacements are available here: https://www.vw-t3-bus-shop.de/en/shaft-bushing-clu...production
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I am a high-functioning autistic into VW diesels and Vanagons along with other things that are unrelated to this site.

[epowell]

[epowell]

[?Waldo?]

No, that is the thowout bearing guide tube. Behind the guide tube and the seal that is behind the guide tube is where the slinger resides. It pokes into the inside of the transmission. It's easiest to see with the bell housing removed.

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I am a high-functioning autistic into VW diesels and Vanagons along with other things that are unrelated to this site.

[epowell]

Aha, OK, so that is another good reason to remove the bellhousing on the bench - I can check out these slingers......
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www.edwardpowell.com

[unclegee]

Hi Guys,

Here in the UK, I couldn't find any information on the oil slinger and nobody seemed to know anything about it, so with only one supplier stocking replacements, finding this fantastic post was a Godsend!

Although I reckon it's the through hole in the bell housing that has worn, I have a new slinger on order, though I think my real problem stems from the pilot bearing. It has totally disintegrated leaving just the outer race in the crank end and a 'smear' on the end of the input shaft.

What do you think could have caused this failure and what damage should I be worried about in the transmission?

Regards,
Grant

[dhaavers]

^^^ Typical failure mode, all for want of grease...

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Gnarlodious]

Happened to me when the pilot bearing spun out. Take a close look at the tip of the input shaft, and look in the flywheel center with a flashlight or borescope.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[?Waldo?]