I hope your mechanic verified that it was engine oil leaking, and not transmission oil - check
the oil for a sulphur smell, usually present in tranny oil. I had this same experience, except I
did the job myself, and assumed it was engine oil (I'm not a mechanic, but now have lots of
practice pulling trannies...). It wasn't, and I had to pull the transmission again to replace the
input shaft seal on the transmission. Even worse, I had to replace it *again* 6 months later for
the same seal because I didn't recognize the damaged oil slinger which caused the seal to
fail in the first place. Actually, I now realize the clutch release forks were worn unevenly,
which caused the input shaft to wobble, eating the pilot bearing and making contact with the
oil slinger, which worked loose from the bellhousing, which in turn damaged the seal. So of
the input shaft seal is leaking, check the oil slinger. If it is loose, check the clutch release
forks.
In fact, checking the clutch components should be standard whenever the tranny is out.

Hopefully this will be of some help to you...

btw, this was on my '88 with 2.1L engine, before conversion. I've also witnessed a similar
chain of events on a friend's '85.

On 15 Sep 2006 at 22:49, Cedar House Inn & Yurts <mtnhomeinn@WINDSTREAM.NET> wrote:

> When I purchased my van (3 months ago) I had a front engine seal leak as
> described by the seller. Oil would leak onto the exhaust causing smoke.
>
> I took it to a vw mechanic last month to have it replaced/repaired. Cost me
> $400.00 since the transmission had to be dropped to get to the seal/gasket.
>
> Anyway today the same problem is back. It leaks again and is causing smoke when
> the oil hits the exhaust. Doesn't the seals last longer than a month? What could
> be the problem? Should I blame the mechanic?
>
> I wrote an earlier post regarding rebuilt engines.
>
> I am now thinking that I really need to fix the other couple of seals that are
> leaking oil. Amount of oil is not siginifcant, nothing on the ground. No
> antifreeze leaks. Van starts up, runs smooth, strong, plenty of power, runs
> cool/no overheating. Engine has @163,000 miles.Would like to fix the leaks and
> keep the engine versus paying for a new rebuilt.
>
> Any thoughts.  Thanks for feedback.
>
> 1984 westy 1.9 watercooled

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA