Newbie potentially dumb question

[Simonf]

Oil on off-side heat exchanger, possibly coming out of rocker head. Can I replace the seal without having to remove the engine? If so, is it an easy job? The most I've done is an oil change, (which I am very proud of!). Happy to give it a go unless you've to remove the engine :!: :!: :!:

 

[Lee C]

Rocker cover gasket can be done under the bus, like!!!
Someone more mechanically minded than me(most people )will be along in a min to tell you the best way of doing it!!! :lol:

 

[Simonf]

Cheers Lee - that'll be my Saturday taken care of then!

 

[Ryanmck1984]

Sure it can

Get a big screw driver and pop of the retainer clip across the cover in the middle and the cover will come off. Replace the gaskets as they're cheap as chips.

 

[Simonf]

Cheers - will I have to drain the oil first or is that another stupid question?

 

[jonboylaw]

No draining needed but you may/will get some oil in the cover dribbling down. Do buy a quality replacement and read the tips on fitting them properly as they leak quite easily.
Good luck and report back


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[Cali_bay]

Hi,

No need to drain the oil, you may get a bit that comes out, just give it a wipe with a clean rag.

Apply a thin film of clean oil on the seal before refitting, as it helps it seat better.

 

[Simonf]

Cheers guys

 

[mrs hoskins]

From one newbie to another.......just done mine tonite......£1.50 each............took me about ten mins.........its gotta be about the easiest job on the bus, and its stopped the oil going on the heat exchanger.

 

[Nugsy]

The inside of the rocker cover has a little lip at the top to hold the gasket in place however the bottom doesn't. As above use a bit of oil to try to hold it in place as they have a tendency to lift at the bottom which will just cause a leak again. I put a spot of glue on it to make sure, will be pain if I have to swap the gasket but having just done all my engine hopefully that wont be anytime soon

 

[Simonf]

Thanks again guys

 

[Ryanmck1984]

Yeah I replaced my gaskets a few times and they still leaked slightly from the bottom corners. Put a thin coating of Hylomar on them which solved the problem. Will take 10 mins longer to clean up for the new gaskets next time but has stopped the leaks

 

[Simonf]

Just had a look underneath and it appears as though the oil is leaking from 2 of the 4 long 'things' adjacent to the rocker cover and not the cover itself - any ideas or is that a bit more serious?

 

[jonboylaw]

Those are the pushrod tubes and sounds like the seals are leaking. For a T1 engine this is a head off job, not particularly difficult, but usually an engine out and strip the Tins etc. Might as well give it a full clean, new clutch at the same time. If it is not too bad, then leave it for the winter

 

[Simonf]

Too much for me at the moment Booked in at the Herbie Hospital, Leeds who will take the engine out and do all the seals for me -

 

[jonboylaw]

Unless it is peeing out you might as well use it this summer and do it in the winter

 

[lard]

Hi - I'd recommend purchasing a bentley manual - gives you step by step guides on all of this (I always thought it turns the van into a grown up sized lego/mechano) set

I removed the engine, removed all the ancillaries and stripped the heads off and fitted new barrels and pistons (along with changing the push rod tubes that you have noted are leaking) then put it all back together using a bentley manual - engine out sunday, strip and rebuild during the evenings and back in the next saturday - really is a life-saver

I do recall seeing spring loaded push rod tubes that can be fitted in situ which don't require the heeds removing? I think vwheritage or machine7 sell them if that helps?

EDIT:

these? would need the seals for them to but believe it's an engine in procedure (would need to slacken rocker to remove pushroad, fit tube then put back in - assumption as never done one before)

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares...76202_lang_EN_country_GB.htm?crumbStartPage=1

 

[Simonf]

Cheers Lard. I really want to get my hands dirty but afraid to screw things up :msn4:

 

[lard]

Cheers Lard. I really want to get my hands dirty but afraid to screw things up :msn4:

With you on that - years ago I threaded a bolt on my mini engine for the water pump, was only supposed to be a 2 minute easy job - had to get a man with a threading kit out to fix my balls up, but suppose we learn by our mistakes! I do most of the big stuff over winter when I don't need the van, then I've got 3-4 months to tackle stuff and, if required, get it fixed by someone else when I make a hash of it :msn4:

If the spring loaded tube solution above is good enough (someone should be along to advise) then it wouldn't be a nightmare job, no oil draining required, or get the part and your local spanner man to fit it and save the labour costs

EDIT: here you go - from samba

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=310472

 

[Simonf]

Hahaha! I might give it a go - she should be good for the Summer