Oil Dripping from Main Seal

[txasylum]

Car is stock 1961 VW Beetle. I rebuilt the motor last year (1200cc 40hp). Put it in the car, has a small drip of oil from main seal. Dropped the motor, replaced the main seal again, put it back in, still dripping. Took it for a drive today and it seems to be dripping slightly more.

I saw a double lipped seal before and wonder if that is what I should use. I don't know what else to do.

Any suggestions? Anyone use a double lipped seal with success? Recommendations of seal?

Thanks
Bob

[Pruneman99]

What's your end play?

Are you oiling the lips of the seal when you install it? If it's dry where the flywheel touches it, it will burn and leak almost immediately.

Check the flywheel for any burrs or debris on the snout.

[txasylum]

endplay is .006". Rebuilt last year. Less than 500 miles on it. I did oil the rim of the seal last time I replaced it.

Wonder if I should install a Speedy Sleeve to help with sealing the seal.

[Cusser]

[txasylum]

It could be .0005" too. It was within specs when I rebuilt it, so I don't remember exactly what it was, but end play is good.

[Pruneman99]

.006 is a bit loose, but I'd call it ok still. Mine is much worse.

Polish the snout on the flywheel. You can drill an extra drain hole in the case at the 6 o'clock position to help drain back. I've not tried to his mod, but others have and reported success.

[txasylum]

I just ordered a crank shaft repair seal and new crank seal. The repair seal is also known as a speadi sleeve.

[FL-Frank]

I used to have the same issue with my ‘67. I paid 2 different shops to replace the main seal, but it still leaked.

So, I bought a new flywheel from Aircooled.net, and installed it myself...along with a new Erling main seal.

6,000 miles later and no leaks.
_________________
“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[txasylum]

Unfortunately the flywheel I have is not one you can buy. I am willing to bet the Speedi Sleeve will resolve my issue. Just got to pull the motor again, ugh.

[wheel607]

Are you ABSOLUTELY positive it isnt the cam plug, and just leaking down and coming down past the flywheel seal. New cam plugs are notorious for leaking. Only use OE VW. Even old VW ones tapped with a socket to expand, will leak if not expanded enough to seal and fit tight to the case.

[txasylum]

That is one thing to check when I pull the motor. Might be hard to tell exactly what is leaking, but I will look. For what it is worth, I did put sealant on that plug when I put the case halves together.

[wheel607]

I had two Chinese cam plugs leak and pulled the motor twice. I had used sealant both times also and I didnt even notice the cam plugs moved around with the sealant on them. The ill fitting plugs caused the oil to pour past the seal and drip down the same place as the main seal. I have built 100s of motors but this leak had me flustered. The plug you want will have VW or a VW part number stamped on it. What you need to do is flare it just a bit so there is a crush at the seal, bolt up the case and check it. Dont find it when you start the motor as I did. I never suspected the cam plug was the problem. I was looking at the flywheel and crank which I just got back from DPR and spent over $1000 to have it worked on. I will never use any cam plug except OE VW (even used).

[txasylum]

Probably impossible to test it to see if it is leaking when the motor is out of the car, correct? Tipping the motor up on one end so the oil reaches the cam plug? Will that leak if that is the problem?
And that is the problem, I suppose I can split the case enough just to change it out without a complete tear down.

[txasylum]

Drill another drain hole? I've never heard of that being done. Is this something folks do all the time?

[wheel607]

Usually motor has to run. When you remove it, just take the flywheel off, gingerly, so as not to disturb where the oil is coming from. About the only way to tell if it is indeed leaking, is just to look at it......see if oil is running from cam plug to the mainshaft seal and then to bottom of motor. It has to come from top, cam plug to bottom, usually collecting and distributed by oil plate at bottom. The leak will not occur and show itself from bottom to top. And yes, another drain hole is drilled, but you cannot repair this engine unless you either change the cam plug or flywheel seal or maybe even the crank or flywheel. Again 40 year old, used cam plugs from VW work better than the new crap from China.

[txasylum]

I took the flywheel off and lots of oil Ran down the block. Of course this was normal because the existing drain hole is at 9 o’clock. Anyway. No grove in flywheel but I did notice when I slipped the seal on it it was tight initially and then seemed to slide mist easier as I slid It down. So guessing it is worn. Still not sure abt drilling a hole in the case at 6 o’clock position.

[mukluk]

If you find yourself splitting the case at some time, the link below shows some pictures of how to add the extra main seal drain VW featured on later model cases.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9469804&highlight=#9469804
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Joey]

Are you driving the seal in all the way until it bottoms out?
_________________
Joey

‘60 Kombi - '74 Bus - '79 Panel - '65 Beetle

[bnam]

And if u are, try leaving the seal flush and not inset.
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
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1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[sgmalt46]

case cracked behind #3 ? oil galley plug leaking? 2 things not checked.
rare . especially on a 40 hp . but you never know.
Steve
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55 deluxe 23 window bus
64 crew cab
55 rag top beetle
66 beetle
71 square back (sold) ! good luck with it Henry!
46 beetle 552nd royal army service corps CCG