Well that bracket isn't bolted to anything because .......? it's bolted in 8
other places, mine doesn't budge a millimeter the way it is, I've seen other
people leaving this bracket off.  no i won't jump off a cliff if they do
though! :)

Are you thinking it has an effect on my issue or are you just pointing out
the obvious for me? :)

I'm also familiar with the complete idiots guide from when I owned a 1967
beetle.  I thought it was a good read, comical and whatnot with
some philosophical insight into life.  Didn't know it would be very
applicable to a 1991 Vanagon.  I should pick up another one just to have
around, if for nothing more than the cover.

peace,
-Ry

On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 5:09 PM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote:

> It's been a while since I've had reason to look at my tranny/engine
> interface, but your photo brings up a question.  Why is (I'm assuming) the
> exhaust bracket not bolted onto something?
>
> Get a copy of John Muir's book, "How to keep your Volkswagen alive for the
> complete idiot".  It lays down some simple rules for the use of the book,
> one of which is, in all descriptions, front is front, like by the
> headlights, back is back, like by the taillights.  I am not quoting, since
> I
> cannot lay my hands on my copy right now.
>
> I've had leaks from the front main seal before that we had a heck of a time
> getting rid of.  Turns out there are two main seals listed for the
> application; one is, IIRC, 12mm thick while the other is 10mm (I could
> easily be wrong on these measurements, but they're close).  You'd think the
> thicker one would work better, but at least in my case, the solution to the
> oil leak was to go with the thinner one, which can be recessed lightly into
> its home.  No more leaks.
>
> Karl Wolz
>
> |-----Original Message-----
> |From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of
> |Ry
> |Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 2:16 PM
> |To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> |Subject: Re: Oil leak since rebuilt 2.1l installed
> |
> |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
> |>>>>>
> |>>>>>
> |>>>>
> |>>>>
> |>>
> |>
>
>