Seeing that you are in Alaska, and it is probably cold there, could it be the big
o-ring sealing the oil cooler to the block? They do get old, harden and crack.

I also recently used the "Libby Bong" when renewing the coolant in my '88 Westy, and
had the leak at the filler neck. A single layer of rubber, self fusing tape (the kind
with the peel-off backing) around the threads took care of the problem. And it peeled
right off when I was done. And to keep it from toppling over, I put a piece of 12 ga.
copper wire around it and secured the end to a discretely placed screw on the back
side of the closet. Unfortunately, I see yours is not a camper.
In my opinion, this method of filling and bleeding is the greatest idea in years. I
have seen no mention of it here, but lots on The Samba.
Jerry in AZ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Hartman" <jeffreyleehartman@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 9:40 PM
Subject: oil leak: advice?

> After recently draining and replacing about 10 qt of coolant, I see fresh
> oil leaking onto the bottom of the block after a 20 mile drive.  It is
> coming from above the shielding for the push rod covers.  The metal shield
> is impossible to get off right now, because one of the bolts is corroded on
> at the exhaust pipe.  This is all on the driver side by the oil filter.  The
> oil that I recently changed about 20 days ago was about a quart low.  This
> is definitely fresh oil, with no coolant mixed in.  Any suggestions of what
> I should do next?
> Jeff Hartman
> Juneau, Alaska
> 86 2.1 L vanagon.
> p.s.  To replace the coolant and bleed I used the black plastic pipe in the
> expansion tank trick.  It workd reasonably well but the clamp didn't quite
> seal the rubber coupler too well on the threads of the tank. so I had a lot
> of leaking before getting it adjusted.  The threaded fill point for my
> expansion tank isn't quite vertical.  I was a little afraid that the whole
> tower with coolant was going to tip over, but that part stayed secure.  .

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