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ggolds5
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2022
Posts: 135
Location: Farmington, CT
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 Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:02 pm Post subject: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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OK, So Smokin Dixie is complete, accept for, you know, drip drip. So 3 separate mechanics- 2 classic VW guys who know their shit say, the leaking is minor. Bus is in excellent condition. That said, I can't seem to not look under the Bus every other hour. The 24 hour drip is about the size of maybe 2 quarters. It doesn't burn any oil. From the last mechanic ;
" Found minor leakage from the front of the engine in the oil cooler area, minor transmission leakage from the differential and pan areas, both rocker boxes will likely leak soon. These are all very minor and not worth chasing at this time. Aside from the minor leakage the van is in excellent condition". Any input is appreciated. Should I just leave as is, and what would this cost to fix if I'm not exactly a mechanic ???. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52321
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| My 1973 Thing has dripped transmission oil since I bought if 15ish years ago, several drops every time it is parked. For the first time since I got it, I add maybe 8-12 ounces of make up oil last year. |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52760
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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If you take a minute and put the year and model of your bus(?) into your signature line (access through the control panel button at the top left of any page) we can all offer better advice. The odd drip from a particular spot on one model can mean nothing, but be a canary in the coal mine on other versions, drop a gallery plug on the highway and you're screwed.
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timvw7476
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2013
Posts: 2485
Location: seattle
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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Two Quarts! TWO QUARTS.
I get pissed/annoyed when the leak is the surface area of my palm.
[b]TWO QUARTS???[/b
I hope your volume estimate is way way off. |
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joey1320
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2006
Posts: 2338
Location: Cleveland, OH
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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I could be wrong, considering I never bought a brand new air cooled VW from a dealership, but I would imagine the sales floor didn't have oil spots all over the place from brand new cars sitting there.
Of course trying to say, an engine is not designed to leak oil. If it's leaking oil is because a mating surface/seal/gasket is either installed wrong, or not true or...or...or...
I have tried my absolute hardest to stop every single leak from my cars over the years and just because it's not a "bad" leak does it mean it should be left to leak.
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52321
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| timvw7476 wrote: |
Two Quarts! TWO QUARTS.
I get pissed/annoyed when the leak is the surface area of my palm.
[b]TWO QUARTS???[/b
I hope your volume estimate is way way off. |
He said 2 QUARTERS, meaning the size of the drip on concrete. At least that is the way I read it. |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52321
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 4:56 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| joey1320 wrote: |
I could be wrong, considering I never bought a brand new air cooled VW from a dealership, but I would imagine the sales floor didn't have oil spots all over the place from brand new cars sitting there.
Of course trying to say, an engine is not designed to leak oil. If it's leaking oil is because a mating surface/seal/gasket is either installed wrong, or not true or...or...or...
I have tried my absolute hardest to stop every single leak from my cars over the years and just because it's not a "bad" leak does it mean it should be left to leak. |
Until they moved from draft/drip tubes to positive crankcase ventilation ALL engines leaked oil in use and having an oil smeared engine was just part of vehicle ownership. I would put 1980 as the date for when someone could actually expect a factory new engine to remain free of oil for any length of time.
Find a photograph of a highway circa <1975 and you will see an oil slick down the middle of the lanes caused by oil dripping onto the road from the engines of the time.
Last edited by Wildthings on Mon Jul 01, 2024 9:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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ggolds5
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2022
Posts: 135
Location: Farmington, CT
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| joey1320 wrote: |
I could be wrong, considering I never bought a brand new air cooled VW from a dealership, but I would imagine the sales floor didn't have oil spots all over the place from brand new cars sitting there.
Of course trying to say, an engine is not designed to leak oil. If it's leaking oil is because a mating surface/seal/gasket is either installed wrong, or not true or...or...or...
I have tried my absolute hardest to stop every single leak from my cars over the years and just because it's not a "bad" leak does it mean it should be left to leak. |
Until they moved from draft/drip tubes to positive crankcase ventilation ALL engines leaked oil in use and having an oil smeared engine was just part of
vehicle ownership. I would put 1980 as the date for when someone could actually expect a factory new engine to remain free of oil for any length of time.
Find a photograph of a highway circa <1975 and you will see an oil slick down the middle of the lanes for oil dripping onto the road from the engines of the time. |
I guess it makes me crazy because a leak never means a good thing in anything you own including the human body. I put that AT-205 stuff in the engine oil and maybe that will help. Thanks. |
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ggolds5
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2022
Posts: 135
Location: Farmington, CT
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| Wildthings wrote: |
| timvw7476 wrote: |
Two Quarts! TWO QUARTS.
I get pissed/annoyed when the leak is the surface area of my palm.
[b]TWO QUARTS???[/b
I hope your volume estimate is way way off. |
He said 2 QUARTERS, meaning the size of the drip on concrete. At least that is the way I read it. |
Yes, I said quarters as in the money. The Bus is the 1800cc motor in my 76. |
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bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 4484
Location: viroqua wi.
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| When they get to 50 cent size start worrying. And not the rapper. |
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timvw7476
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2013
Posts: 2485
Location: seattle
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| ggolds5 wrote: |
| Wildthings wrote: |
| timvw7476 wrote: |
Two Quarts! TWO QUARTS.
I get pissed/annoyed when the leak is the surface area of my palm.
[b]TWO QUARTS???[/b
I hope your volume estimate is way way off. |
He said 2 QUARTERS, meaning the size of the drip on concrete. At least that is the way I read it. |
Yes, I said quarters as in the money. The Bus is the 1800cc motor in my 76. |
okay . I reread the OP. I started my Fourth Party early. My eyes are blurry. lol |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 17832
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| Quote: |
| 2 classic VW guys who know their shit say |
are you the same guy that was having steering box issues?
EDIT
Yup...
I offered my services then, you keep going to people that you bitch about yet you keep going back.....
I'm going to say this about your oil leak....
it took me almost 60 hours to dress a longblock T4 and install it, break it in and give it back to the customer
60 hours
6-DEE fucking hours. That is a week and 1/2 of labor. I'm well over 100/hr these days.
point being, do the math. I agree an oil leak isn't ideal but you need to realize that having it fixed isn't going to be cheap, and if you keep bringing to these hero's you seem to love I 100% guarantee you are going to get garbage back and or be frustrated to the point of selling the bus
Owning one of these shitboxes takes deep pockets these days. Guys that can actually fix them that aren't shitting their diaper are getting harder to find
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 17631
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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It just “Depends”
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8619
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| aeromech wrote: |
| It just “Depends” |
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busdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 52760
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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Gary for the win!
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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ggolds5
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2022
Posts: 135
Location: Farmington, CT
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| Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2024 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| Quote: |
| 2 classic VW guys who know their shit say |
are you the same guy that was having steering box issues?
EDIT
Yup...
I offered my services then, you keep going to people that you bitch about yet you keep going back.....
I'm going to say this about your oil leak....
it took me almost 60 hours to dress a longblock T4 and install it, break it in and give it back to the customer
60 hours
6-DEE fucking hours. That is a week and 1/2 of labor. I'm well over 100/hr these days.
point being, do the math. I agree an oil leak isn't ideal but you need to realize that having it fixed isn't going to be cheap, and if you keep bringing to these hero's you seem to love I 100% guarantee you are going to get garbage back and or be frustrated to the point of selling the bus
Owning one of these shitboxes takes deep pockets these days. Guys that can actually fix them that aren't shitting their diaper are getting harder to find |
Give me a phone number , I would gladly give you a call as long as you don't keep yelling at me. Where are you?. Looks like Connecticut. Good start. The drivetrain has never needed major work, the motor and tranny were rebuilt by a VW mechanic in Texas about 7 years ago- 10K miles or so. All the work I've had done was basic mechanical refreshening. YES, the steering box was replaced and works well now. Private message me your number . Thanks.
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raygreenwood
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008
Posts: 23123
Location: Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 7:35 am Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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Interesting!
I think you could probaby find a better mechanic.
This quote:
| Quote: |
| "Found minor leakage from the front of the engine in the oil cooler area, minor transmission leakage from the differential and pan areas, both rocker boxes will likely leak soon. These are all very minor and not worth chasing at this time. Aside from the minor leakage the van is in excellent condition". Any input is appreciated. Should I just leave as is, and what would this cost to fix if I'm not exactly a mechanic ???. |
I do not doubt that the bus is in excellent "general" condition. But....
1. The statement that "minor" leakage was found from the front of the engine NEAR or IN the oil cooler area.... 
Damn, that could be a gallery plug, oil cooler seal, the oil pressure switch or even the rear seal. Those first two are CRITICAL (in my opinion) to findng out if that part is leaking. On those, do NOT wait and drive it around.
2. The differential leak...OK...from what? Side seals? Yes you CAN wait but you better be checking the fluid often. Same for the pan leak. Those are not likely to catastrophically blow open while driving like a gallery plug or oil cooler seals.
3. The valve cover gaskets. Yes....a diagnosis of "likely" and "soon" means they MUST have pulled one loose and found the gaskets rock hard. If you had one loose just change them its like 10 minutes.
The idea of leaving minor oil leaks for long periods...in my experience....is only acceptable when it truly is KNOWN to be minor and a very slow rate and cannot instantly fail. For instance....lets say you have a very slow seep on a manual transmission at the joint between the middle section and thedifferential housing. Thats a LOT of work to disassemble and re-gasket. If it loses 1-3 ounces per YEAR....yeah...keep an eye on oil levels and let it wait.
However, any leak that could potentially be coming from a pressurized source....should be identified and fixed asap.
Wildthings said:
Until they moved from draft/drip tubes to positive crankcase ventilation ALL engines leaked oil in use and having an oil smeared engine was just part of vehicle ownership. I would put 1980 as the date for when someone could actually expect a factory new engine to remain free of oil for any length of time.
Find a photograph of a highway circa <1975 and you will see an oil slick down the middle of the lanes for oil dripping onto the road from the engines of the time.
Yep...I remember those days! I think for "most" cars...American cars and probably type 1 and 3 VW....I think the 1980 estimate is fair.
However, this is one of the reasons I am pickier and spoiled. My first car was a VW 411. It never leaked. It had a killer crankcase vent system and type 4 engines have never had road draft tubes. It has always been a sealed system. I can say for sure that the PCV system on the earlier type 4 engines in 411/412 was better than that of the bay window bus.
Ray |
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orwell84
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 2772
Location: Plattsburgh, New York
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 8:10 am Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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I have never managed to build a completely leak free engine no matter how hard I try. But I do get it to a point where leaks are minimal and checking the dipstick doesn’t show a detectable level of oil loss. It’s not unusual for small leaks to crop up from time to time and I address them as I find them.
When I’m trying to repair them I find the suspected source of the leak, get it really clean, start the engine and wait for the first drop to appear. When I find it, I fix it and verify again. I had a stubborn one that came from a line running from the oil sender hole through a brake line to a block that held the oil sensor and a pressure gauge sender. It leaked from a couple of places and I ended up having to reseal it at every point. Sometimes finding where the oil leak isn’t is just as important. You don’t want leaking gallery plugs, but a tiny leak at the flywheel seal may be tolerable.
At the moment, I have a big ATF leak on my automatic transmission. It’s worse when it’s not running. I have to replace the o ring of the governor cover.
Sorry to ramble on. |
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oscarsnapkin
Samba Member
Joined: October 22, 2013
Posts: 569
Location: Bucks County, PA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| Quote: |
| 2 classic VW guys who know their shit say |
are you the same guy that was having steering box issues?
EDIT
Yup...
I offered my services then, you keep going to people that you bitch about yet you keep going back.....
I'm going to say this about your oil leak....
it took me almost 60 hours to dress a longblock T4 and install it, break it in and give it back to the customer
60 hours
6-DEE fucking hours. That is a week and 1/2 of labor. I'm well over 100/hr these days.
point being, do the math. I agree an oil leak isn't ideal but you need to realize that having it fixed isn't going to be cheap, and if you keep bringing to these hero's you seem to love I 100% guarantee you are going to get garbage back and or be frustrated to the point of selling the bus
Owning one of these shitboxes takes deep pockets these days. Guys that can actually fix them that aren't shitting their diaper are getting harder to find |
How’s your health Skills? I haven’t been around much so forgive me for asking.
_________________
- 1977 CEI Sunroof Bus 2.0L F.I. Hydraulic Lifters
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bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 4484
Location: viroqua wi.
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| Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2024 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Oil leak, WHEN to fix and when to leave alone. |
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| Flex Seal. The guy on T.V. says it works on anything. |
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