Our '88 was continually losing oil also, but not leaking or burning.  I
discovered a stupid little detail that solved the problem.  The dipstick was
forcing itself out at high engine speeds. I squeezed the dipstick tube a
little to hold the dipstick tighter and that stopped the oil loss!!

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: John-Reed Maffeo <rlpa80@email.sps.mot.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 12:43 PM
Subject: Wrap Up: Oil mess on rear hatch after high speed run on freeway

> A while back I posted a question to the list about what could
> have caused the hatch mess. I was losing between 1/2 and 1 quart
> of oil in a 200+ mile freeway run at 65mph+ (at lower speeds it
> did not seem to happen anywhere near as much)
>
> I replaced several seals, but the one that I now believe to be
> most leaky was the distributor drive seal. It was really hard
> compared to the new one.
>
> Can someone tell me if there is a pressurized oil feed to
> the distributor shaft?
>
> I replaced:
>
> 1. Oil breather tower seal.
> 2. Rear oil pressure sensor.
> 3. Distributor shaft seal.
>
> I sealed: (with black silicone gasket maker)
> 1. The bolt that holds the A/C compressor to the block.
>
> I have not(yet) replaced the oil cooler seal.
>
> My engine oil leak problem is under control, however I
> an now noticing that my transmission has a slow, steady
> drip that seems to originate between the engine and
> transmission:(
>
> John-Reed Maffeo '86 Syncro - Glacee
>