yes, i meant to mention the smell test as well.  the mt-90 i used was rather
red in color also.

Will try the crankshaft jerk/pull when i get home after things cool off and
report back.

-Ry

On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 4:10 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

>  hi Ry,
> just for funzies...
> grab the crankshaft pulley and try to push it in and out........ ..engine
> off of course ( and no one sitting in the driver's seat either )
> checking for end-play.
> there shouldn't be any easily detectibible end-play.
>
> not likely that it'll move excessively, but it's a simple test that by
> remote chance could reveal something.
>
> usually you can tell gear oil from engine oil by smell.
> the Redline MT-90 gear oil I'm using lately seems engine oil colored, more
> or less.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Ry <rylincoln@gmail.com>
> *To:* Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> *Sent:* Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:23 PM
> *Subject:* Re: Re: Oil leak since rebuilt 2.1l installed
>
> Thanks for the free brain cycle time :)
>
> The reason I *think *I know it's not transmission oil is color, i have
> that redline synthetic and that as you probably know, has a definitive color
> to it.
>
> I'll drop the trans next time i have a 4 day weekend to spare and some
> spare parts.
>
> flywheel was preinstalled, i certainly hope it was properly installed but I
> should check it.  i've never done a rear main seal job.  I've done seals
> when changing wheel bearings.
>
>
> carry on,
>
> -Ry
>
> On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 2:46 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> hi,
>> it was clear you were talking about the engine-transmission junction area.
>>
>> yeah, there shouldn't be a drop there with a fresh engine.
>> and if you're sure it's engine oil.. ..  Just because trans is rebuilt
>> that doesn't mean 'for sure' it can't leak some there .
>>  In my brain I never think 'oh that's new, can't be that' ..
>> I think the opposite ...that was just worked on ....the problem could be
>> there .
>> I always go for the most recent work when there's an issue ...I often find
>> 'the issue' there.
>>
>> things that come to mind if it's engine oil -
>> rear main oil seal of course.
>> anything to do with end play of the crankshaft and that whole end-play
>> shim/rear main seal area.
>>
>> oh ...here's one..........I've seen this one ...no lock-tite on the
>> flywheel bolts ....oil will gradually migrate up the threads of the flywheel
>> bolts if there is not a sealant or lock-tite on the bolt threads.  They
>> should always bet lock-tited in of course.
>> there's an o-ring on the crankshaft side of the flywheel...that's gotta be
>> there.
>>
>> anything to do with crankcase pressure and not venting/relieving pressure
>> properly.
>> Waterboxers seldom have that problem ...but the oil tower ...there are
>> moving parts in there...
>> spring and some other part ...if that was all clogged up , could be a
>> factor.
>>
>> doubt it's the oil itself, but consider that....brand, grade, and
>> viscosity.
>>
>> but if the engine is new ...
>> it sure shouldn't do that.  If it did that in a year say ...mabye ok,
>> but new.....shouldn't be an oil drop there.
>> it should be either ... a seal issue, or what the seal seals against
>> .....or breather/crankcase pressure issue. ...somewhere in there.  Even
>> excessive main bearing oil clearnce could cause it.  Or cheap rear main
>> seal. The good ones are all red, or have a red lip where they actually do
>> the sealing ...the all black ones are not so hot, but they should work find
>> for a while .
>>  If it was mine, I'd be taking the trans or engine out to look at things
>> very carefully, much as one hates to do that over one small drop.
>>
>> Scott
>> www.turbovans.com
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ry" <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 11:59 AM
>> Subject: Re: Oil leak since rebuilt 2.1l installed
>>
>>
>>
>> when i say rear of engine i mean where it mates up with the transmission,
>>> oil pump is on the "front" of the engine. sorry for the confusion, I
>>> still
>>> think of the engine seperate from the van so i don't get confused on
>>> front
>>> and rear designation.
>>>
>>> Definitely not transmission oil, i have a rebuilt trans too, replaced at
>>> same time as engine.
>>>
>>> No oil on the engine lid, only on the bottom of the engine where
>>> transmission and engine meet at the center of the case.
>>>
>>> I'm not calling out the rebuilder on the list, that would be poor form,
>>> but
>>> I didn't rebuild it, was professional rebuild.
>>>
>>> this is the area where it drips once or twice when stopped.
>>>
>>> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3L4SAvf39FK2iLzL_frNBw?feat=directlink
>>>
>>> -Ry
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:27 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
>>> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> 'carry on' ...lol.
>>>>
>>>> make sure it's not transmission oil ...could be.
>>>>
>>>> if it is engine oil...
>>>> no, should not have a slow leak or any drips there.
>>>> I'd say the only acceptable level of leak there would be one drop of oil
>>>> sitting on the engine ..at the most ...and no drops on the ground ...
>>>> shouldn't have that with a new engine.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ry" <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
>>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 9:59 AM
>>>> Subject: Oil leak since rebuilt 2.1l installed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  So, I'm not terribly worried about this but am interested in the
>>>> opinions
>>>>
>>>>> of
>>>>> the hive mind here.   I installed a rebuilt 2.1l engine ~3,500 miles
>>>>> ago.
>>>>> Pretty much since the beginning there has been a slow oil leak from the
>>>>> rear
>>>>> of the engine.  I assume it's the rear main seal(what else is back
>>>>> there?
>>>>> It's not enough to warrant needing to add oil between oil change
>>>>> intervals,
>>>>> there are maybe 1 or 2 drops of oil on the ground when parked for
>>>>> several
>>>>> hours.
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh no woah as me, I know.... this is NOT a major problem, but I sure
>>>>> would
>>>>> like to have NO oil leaks, is this unreasonable?  Do many people have
>>>>> little
>>>>> leaks they just ignore?
>>>>>
>>>>> I reckon I'll just live with it for now.  I have an oil pressure gauge
>>>>> and
>>>>> oil temp gauge along with an external oil cooler so I should get warned
>>>>> quickly of any lubrication troubles.
>>>>>
>>>>> carry on,
>>>>> -Ry
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>