1968 Beetle oil leak of left side cylinder New member

[bashermax]

Just bought a 68 beetle. Has a few things needing work, and today I noticed oil around the left rear cylinder (Left as looking at the engine). Am I in trouble already? I can't pin point the exact location but my guess would be a seal??? It's on the Sheet metal near center of block right behind the pulley. It also needs the E Brake fixed.. but that's another story. Just want to make sure I'm not screwed on this deal.

[Cusser]

Typically oil leaks on the left side of the engine are from the oil cooler seals, inside the fan shroud. But near the pulley on the left side could also be from the oil pressure sender, the distributor O-ring, or the gaskets under the fuel pump.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[jlex]

Because oil gets pushed around so much in the engine compartment, you'll need to clean things up well first, then try to pinpoint the exact point of the leak. Don't get too worried at this point. Lots of help on this forum.
_________________
jlex.
'70 std. "Elsie"
'88 Carrera

[gt1953]

Yep cleaner up then look for the fresh oil and track it down to the specific location on the engine block.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[bashermax]

Any suggestions on a specific type cleaner/de-greaser to use. Don't want to blast it with something that's going to knock lube off where it's needed or effect Electrical System. Rags just smear things around.

PS I'm a much better bicycle mechanic than Auto Mechanic! But I'm either stupid or crazy enough to be undaunted. I put about a pint of oil back in after about 2 weeks, so it's not "pouring out"[/quote]

[andk5591]

Lots of folks like simple green. I like Hirsch Marine degreaser. Something to remember for terminology on these cars - front is front (as in front of the car) And when talking about cylinders, its easier to specify 1 thru 4. Passenger side front is 1, passenger rear is 2, drivers front is 3 drivers rear is 4. Like right now I am fighting a leak at the cylinder/case joint for #3 as an example.

What I think you are saying is that you think that you may have a leak behind the crank pulley. As mentioned, you need to clean everything up to help determine where it is for sure. Most of us have some leaks on the cars - There are lots of common places for this and you probably have something minor. Don't sweat it, but you still want to identify where ist at.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...