Advice for new owner... Stop me getting too parinoid!

[Martinb]

Hi
I could do with a little reassurance regarding a couple of things...
First of all, I've got the usual oil patch on the garage floor, that's not the problem; what I need to know is how much oil would I expect to find on the outside of the engine oil drain plate? Is a fine layer perfectly normal? Should I be concerned about this at all? I regularly check the oil levels, and they are always perfectly fine! We've had weekends away and been out on several day trips and its not missed a beat and it starts first time every time.

Secondly, when I'm driving, I get the occasional smell of engine. It's not over powering or anything like that; but I just need some reassurance that this is perfectly normal.

Although I only bought the van three months ago, it's had regular servicing and maintenance above and beyond what is expected. My problem is I read the posts on here and start to get parinoid at the first drip of oil!

Thanks Martin

 

[Lee C]

It'll be fine.






Feel better???

 

[mrs hoskins]

its so good to hear from someone else with bus hypochondria. Mine smells , rattles, leaks, farts, gets hot (bus not the missus) and yet still goes to Cornwall without missing a beat.............the bus comes ready chilled and with a character and aura all of its own......., just takes a while for new owners to get to the same state ..............just enjoy

 

[andynods]

Sounds fine to me. If the leak gets worse and you find yourself needing to top up, it's time to investigate further but in the meantime, enjoy!

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Martinb]

Thanks..... Feeling a lot more reassured already.

 

[lard]

sounds fine to me - mine likes to mark it's territory too!

ref engine smell - assume this is when you have heating on? It's worth checking the metal jubilee clips are all in place for the heat exchanger pipes underneath the engine as they come back towards the front, and that there aren't any splits in the pipes that could be drawing in air from around the engine, mine gives you a bit of engine smell but that's due to not 100% tight pipework coming out the back of the heat exchanger (something on my list!)

Ref the oil coating - I swear several of my previous triumph spitfires that I used to own wouldn't have been around if it wasn't for oil leaks, they literally saved the underside and chassis from rot :msn4: - the leaking engine & gearboxes were the only thing between the metal and the salt, I consider mine to be a "feature" - in my case I have a slight leak from my gearbox that gets spread back across the bottom of the engine by the wind - might be worth getting gearbox oil checked as it may not be from the engine? Just a thought (didn't want to add to your paranoia!)

 

[Ryanmck1984]

I think that's the joys of having a 40+ year old bus! :lol:

Mines is pretty much the same but all levels and temperatures seem fine. Just hit the road and enjoy! 8)

 

[ozziedog]

Echoing what Larry said above (Lard) Just keep checking your engine oil frequently, sounds like it may be a little stinker through your exchangers but worth ckecking or having checked by a decent dub friendly meknik, not an ordinary garage, and at the same time get your gearbox oil checked. If you got a leak it may be worth trying to track it down, but the biggest worry is when the engine is using too much oil and likely to do itself a mischief because of that. Don`t panic,,,,,,,, keep an eye on it,,,,,,,,,,

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,, I SAID !!!!!! Don`t Panic 8) 8) 8)

 

[Tristan71]

I'd be more concerned if my bus stopped leaking oil !!!!!

 

[Toad]

All sounds perfectly normal!

 

[Araon]

I'd be more concerned if my bus stopped leaking oil !!!!!

exactly my sentiments :lol:

 

[AxlFoley]

its normal, but it may be worth finding out where its coming from, some leaks are easier to cure than others.

either side is probably rocker cover gaskets, am easy fix

in the middle, sump cover plate, again an easy fix

front, where it joins the gearbox, will be the crank case oil seal, engine out job.

put some card under it to see where it drips from.

 

[sparkywig]

You lot are sustaining the myth about VW air-cooled engines always leaking. They don't when assembled properly, OK?


Rant over, thanks.

 

[69billy]

we have 3 and they all leak in differant areas. two new rebuilt motors and after 1000 miles they weap. just keep checking your oil . but saying that just done 1000 mile round trip and no leaks till sat in the garage for a couple of days.!! drive and have a big grin