It never fecking ends!

[Bigbear]

So I've just had the engine out to replace the crank shaft seal, (done loads of other bits whilst doing this) since doing this my luck has been awful!
1. Whilst refitting the gland nut in the flywheel the poxy thing snapped in two! Leaving me to tap the threaded part out with a screwdriver (stop all work whilst waiting for a new one to be delivered)
2. Took the gearbox out only to find a seal missing (oil pissing out everywhere!) also the sump plug was chewed to bits! (Stop work whilst waiting for delivery!)
3.refitted the long gear rod upside down (prick!)
4.noticed my brake reservoir was dry, poxy leak underneath!(stop work to wait on delivery!)
5.found nasty rust whilst repairing the above!
6.had a member of public point out the bus looked weird from behind(rear bearings, trailing arm bushes, and possibly cv joint buggered!)
7. Looked under the van tonight and oil looks to be leaking from the crank shaft seal still!

I've had enough!!!

 

[68_early_bay]

 

[gvee]

That sucks. Step back for a couple of days and start again refreshed!

Relax.

You'll still make last orders if you hurry!

 

[Bigbear]

That sucks. Step back for a couple of days and start again refreshed!

Relax.

You'll still make last orders if you hurry!

I was tempted to drive it off the slipway and watch the bastard sink!! :evil:

Can't believe it still leaks oil!! :x :x

 

[Lee C]

Yep, that's where I'm at presently too!!! :|
Watching deadlines come & go !!.,
It seems each thing you fix, throws up more problems to fix!!!
Also, just for a laugh,like I am you could Try finding good 2nd hand parts, instead of ordering new, adds months not days to a build

 

[Foz]

If your bus is anything like mine its a bastard to work on, and i feel your pain dude! everything I've ever attempt to do turns into a major task, which then incorporates a few more tasks just to get back to where I originally started from.

I'm having same kind of issues with my fuel gauge at the minute.....replaced the sender, still not working, now i've stripped the whole dash out....wires everywhere, now more electrical faults to try and fathom and repair before i even get back to where i originally started ...which was to simply replace the gauge! Its very disheartening, and I've had to step back for a couple of days, whilst i await parts!

Plan is to start back on it again this good friday....and i sincerely hope it is a 'GOOD' Friday!!! :|

 

[*Sam*]

Before you pull the engine again to check the crank seal have a sniff of the oil that it's dropping.
I had a similar scenario and it was ranging from the input shaft seal on the gearbox, gear is oil has a very different smell far more pungent than engine oil.

 

[Bigbear]

Before you pull the engine again to check the crank seal have a sniff of the oil that it's dropping.
I had a similar scenario and it was ranging from the input shaft seal on the gearbox, gear is oil has a very different smell far more pungent than engine oil.

It's definately engine oil mate, the gearbox was dry as a bone when I took it out (apart from the drive flange seal) I just can't see what I've done wrong when fitting the seal, it's not a massive leak by any means but it's still a leak!

Foz, as for electrical issues, that really would drive me over the edge! The wiring behind my dash looks like the work of the devil!! :evil:

 

[Bigbear]

Yep, that's where I'm at presently too!!! :|
Watching deadlines come & go !!.,
It seems each thing you fix, throws up more problems to fix!!!
Also, just for a laugh,like I am you could Try finding good 2nd hand parts, instead of ordering new, adds months not days to a build

It's when you replace something that's not faulty but advisable through 'good practice' whilst your there ,and then you brake something whilst carrying out the advisable task! That makes me mad!!

 

[AGC]

Beware of some of the "advisable" jobs..... Decided to change the brake fluid because it was advised that this should be done periodically. Altho Ive never done it on any other vans Ive owned I decided to do this simple job on my latest van. Managed to pump rust and crap into the master cylinder and **** it up so had to get a replacement one. Just extra work and expense that I could have done without. I find that these little advisables really get to me and I just have to do them even though I know they will cause extra problems. Oh well!!

 

[subheatadey]

I'm feeling the pain, me too attempt one job and it develops into two more plus the expense I've given up working out what it has cost me and how much more it is going to cost, i have a file of receipts that maybe I shall look at and add up though i think it will be scary and still it looks like it belongs in the junk yard though from my last visit to the junk yard to procur some interior lights (French ones) there are some amazing cars in there, totally mint. maybe we should start a competition to see who has the highest pile of receipts? :suicide:

 

[vwcanuck]

Beware of some of the "advisable" jobs..... Decided to change the brake fluid because it was advised that this should be done periodically. Altho Ive never done it on any other vans Ive owned I decided to do this simple job on my latest van. Managed to pump rust and crap into the master cylinder and **** it up so had to get a replacement one. Just extra work and expense that I could have done without. I find that these little advisables really get to me and I just have to do them even though I know they will cause extra problems. Oh well!!

Sorry but I need to add to this one ... just like engine oil, brake fluid loses its capacity to do its job over time. It is a vital component to the entire brake system often overlooked because of the perceived complexity of the job to replace it. Yes it's a pain but we do drive vintage vehicles and know from the get-go that we either learn to work on them or pay someone to work on them for us ... often

 

[dubdubz]

Did you use a original seal? Also I'm assuming you changed the oring too?

Sometimes the cases can leak around that area as it gets quite a lot of abuse - did you check torque on case nuts at all when cold?

I did have an irregular case once where I think the seal had spun so the seal needed a smattering of sealant on the perimeter to get it dry
it could also be the flywheel - again seen some with a 'groove' that allows a seep, trickier to fix as DIY depending on how bad.

I do feel your pain - having said all that mine has a weep - which does mean a weekend of engine out joy - and I will find other stuff to do turning it into 2 weeks on ramps....

 

[Davydomes]

I was tempted to drive it off the slipway and watch the bastard sink!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry mate but I SO KNOW that feeling. I think the general advice is right.....take a step back and a break.

Owning a classic is almost like being in trying to win the affections of a complete bitch :msn4: (Oops! got a bit Freudian there) ......no matter what you do - you can't win.

But you will WIN in the end.

 

[shiplee123]

Sorry to hear this chap
Sounds like your not alone at all
I have been close to a melt down the last week or two in frustration about getting my bus on the road. Every time I fixed something I'd find something else needed doing . Each time it was £100 here £85 there and goes on n on !

Just gotta step back , have another look at the weekend !

Remember the fun u have when your using it !

 

[trebor]

Reading all these problems is starting to put me off, maybe I should stick to my old Matchless 500. 1 piston, very basic, it would run if one pushrod was 1/4" short. :?

 

[Weeman]

All them suck!! my story is thort I wud sell the bay to buy a split but figured I wud fit the twin carbs and vs zorst and a 1303s box for the the next owner ,,, only to find once back in the van it didn't feel as quick as I hoped little bit of checking only to find dead cylinder head So out came the engine I then had a major hiss fit and spunked a big load of money on a 1776 heritage lump Now I've found a rust hole on rear arch. Joy joy :roll:

 

[BARKING MARK]

Ive said this before but.......
You know you are an Early Bayer when you've spent enough money to buy a brand new Merc...But all you've got on the drive is a beat up old van...... :lol:
Believe me I know :shock:
The thing is theres something about an old aircooled VW that becomes part of you [probably the oil and paint under our fingernails and the blood shed on the Bus :lol: ] that you don't get with any other vehicle...so hang in there,dont give up "you" will win through.

 

[Bigbear]

Did you use a original seal? Also I'm assuming you changed the oring too?

Sometimes the cases can leak around that area as it gets quite a lot of abuse - did you check torque on case nuts at all when cold?

I did have an irregular case once where I think the seal had spun so the seal needed a smattering of sealant on the perimeter to get it dry
it could also be the flywheel - again seen some with a 'groove' that allows a seep, trickier to fix as DIY depending on how bad.

I do feel your pain - having said all that mine has a weep - which does mean a weekend of engine out joy - and I will find other stuff to do turning it into 2 weeks on ramps....

Hi mate I did use the original top quality seal and I did also change the o ring, I used the old knackered seal to protect the new one when fitting, I left the new seal sitting ever so slightly proud, I read that's the way to do it? (Il bet Thats wrong?), flywheel looked in very good order, everything was torqued up properly, new gland nut clutch and plate , wish I never bothered now.

 

[Bigbear]

The worst thing about doing the work yourself (other than the cuts bruises and mental trauma) is that you can't moan at someone if the repairs haven't worked! Il pay someone in future just so I know I can stamp my feet if things go wrong!