Massive oil leak

LOSTNVEGAS

MEMBER
VOLKSWAGEN

Hi all, I have a 1972 Beetle model 1122 that has sat for three years. After rebuilding the carb, I started it only to find that there was a massive oil leak coming from the rear of the engine. I can't pinpoint it without pulling the engine which I don't want to do if possible so if anyone has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for you time.

Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 AT 11:03 AM

2 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

Best you jack up the back, using stands dont forget safty first! And give it a good wash down so you can see where the oil is coming from, If it is from the bell housing (where the gear box mounts on the engine) the rear main seal is leaking and the engine will have to be removed. You can replace the valve cover gaskets in place, but if it is leaking from the push rod seals cylinders or heads the motor will have to be removed. The problem is that when engines sit fo'r any extended length of time, seals tend to dry out and when you start is up they can leak quite badly, if you use a stop leak treatment you will only do more harm as these usually swell the seal and it may stop leaking for a while, but will fail big time when the seal falls apart.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 AT 8:37 PM

LOSTNVEGAS

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2 POSTS

Thank you for the response, that's pretty much what I assumed considering the quantity that came out. It wasn't a slight drip like comes from a valve cover, it was more like a hole in the side of the engine dumping quarts and quarts of oil onto the ground. Anyways, i'll get jacking. Thanks again!

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Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 AT 1:40 PM