Quick and Easy WBX Oil Cooler Seal Replacement

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:21 am Post subject:

Thanks for the write up.

I don't the part in hand, so don't know if the end of it could be double nutted, but would an expansion bolt work to remove the pipe?

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

insyncro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:33 am Post subject:

Thanks Nut Wink

The expansion bolt was tried in another thread and snapped clean off inside the pipe, thus my call to Andrew to ask for other ideas.

I am sure there are plenty of tools that could be used, I went with the advice and the T55.
Snap On sockets of this size are $8 shipped off eBay, the internal pipe tool at Blowes, a POS by my standards, was $12+tax Rolling Eyes

Vanagon Nut · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:15 pm Post subject:

cool. Thanks. Ironically, your procedure may help out on my Jetta swap. i see an oil leak near the oil cooler. IIRC, it uses the same or very similar oil cooler parts.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
(VW Gas I4)

1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

insyncro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:31 pm Post subject:

Yes, most VWs and Audis share this same cooler and seal.

I have talked to so many since posting this and it really doesn't matter whether it is a Vanagon or not...great little ditty to remove the oil pipe from whatever engine it may be attached to.
The Vanagon Syncro gives the least amount of room to work, so those who have seen many different cars appreciate getting it done, in the driveway, while snowing...in under a half of an hour Wink

Howesight · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:28 pm Post subject:

There are a bunch of threads on the topic of "Just bought a Westy and what should I look at or replace?" Similarly, there are a few on the topic "Going on a long trip. What preventive maintenance should I do?"

Dylan's thread on this gasket needs to be linked to those threads. Great pics. Having suffered this oil cooler seal failure years ago in mid winter on a logging road, I could have used this post!
_________________
'86 Syncro Westy SVX

insyncro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 2:46 pm Post subject:

I will do my best to link it when I read those posts from now on.
That is a really good idea.
I am going through all of my WBX powered vans that have sat for awhile now, 1. to inspect the gasket and 2. replace any that look like trouble.
The ones I drive regularly and have owned for years have had this replaced at some point, when I resealed the heads most likely.

Placed an order today for more seals from VW Wink

Change your fuel lines AND change your oil cooler seal will be the new mantra Laughing

Altoona · Samba Member Joined: November 14, 2011 Posts: 597

insyncro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:26 pm Post subject:

You are welcome.
Andrew was swapping out the same seal on a Passat when I talked to him.

snowsyncro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting this Dylan. Like SyncroJael, I just did this. It took about 4 hours, 3 hours and 32 minutes was dealing with those stupid coolant pipes. It did not occur to me to remove that threaded pipe. I have 3 more vans and 3 Passats to do, so you are going to save me a lot of time. Thanks!

RonC

insyncro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 3:38 pm Post subject:

mrlimbo · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:53 am Post subject:

I've had to do them in the van.. nice details.

I did the last one while the engine was on the stand getting new headgaskets. I had one blow out on a very cold day, like we've had recently. Luckily, it was in the driveway and didn't damage the engine. Just an environmental mess.

BTW, the EuroVan takes the same seal.
_________________
-Jim DiGennaro, Samba lurker, Disc Jockey and LiMBO freak www.LiMBObus.org
'67 Kombi- April, its not original and I don't care.
'87 Vanagon GL (daily driver)
'01 Jetta Honey's car
Looking for a Vanagon weekender or Escorial green camper.

insyncro · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:00 am Post subject:

mrlimbo · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:19 am Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:23 am Post subject:

The sound a dry oil pump makes is worse than fingernails on a chalkboard.

You crack me up Jim Laughing

Hope all is well with you.

Get ready for Marcus, our next winter friend Exclamation

Jake de Villiers · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:46 am Post subject:

candyman · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:52 am Post subject:

Just ordered up that T55 bit and the loctite 518 off amazon. Thank you for posting this. I do this job every couple of years as PM since we get really hard freezes here in MT and have had this seal burst before. Before this post i have always done this procedure the hard and dirty way, always dredding having to do it. Thanks again for the tips!

insyncro · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:56 am Post subject:

kamzcab86 · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:15 pm Post subject:

Bumping this back up to say...

insyncro · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:22 pm Post subject:

Thank you

By the sounds of it, many deal with this pesky Oring.
This thread hopefully gives a few a leg up on the process to replace it.

Merian · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:05 pm Post subject:

how long does that O-ring usually last?


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Quick and Easy WBX Oil Cooler Seal Replacement
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