Yes, if you double nut it and remove the tube - you don't need to drain the
coolant.  I don't recall the thread, I seem to remember using a nut off
another engine.   The tube usually isn't very tight, I've removed them by
hand before.  Likely the common cause of a leak too.

Jason Ewing

On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 6:44 PM, Aaron <a.robinson.lists@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'll check the nut tightness. I think I read 27mm somewhere and 18 ft/lb.
> The local dealer has a gasket in-stock so I'll pick one up and give it a
> shot tonight. It sounds like it should be fairly straightforward.
>
> Drain oil (it's due for a change)
> Remove 2 hoses going to cooler (They should come off as I just did the WP a
> while ago) and drain coolant
> Remove oil filter
> Remove (or loosen) large nut and loosen housing
> Replace gasket
> Reassemble
>
> Anyone know what size/thread pitch the large nut is? I think I read
> double-nutting it would save removing the coolant hoses...
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 25, 2011, at 2:19 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>
> > I would immediately remove the oil filter and check the tightness of the
> nut holding on the oil cooler.
> > those can get loose.
> > it can cause a leak that can even lead to total engine failure ..
> > there is an o-ring on top of the oil cooler , between oil cooler and
> engine block.
> > a little tricky to replace.
> > I have not seen them 'fail' really ....used ones usually work ok.
> > and it's important to check the tightness of that nut. !
> >
> > and yes....there's the high rpm oil pressure sender next to the crank
> pulley.
> > should be easy to see if that's leaking ...watch it while it runs at
> elevated rpm just be careful in there.
> >
> > the seal on the crank pulley ...I've never had a problem with one of
> those ..but consider that  for sure.
> >
> > also crankcase breathing ..
> > not usually a problem but all oil leaks, especially on seals where the
> inside of the engine is on the other side....oil level, oil type, and
> crankcase breathing should all be considered.
> >
> > there are also push rod seals up under the tin covers on each side..
> > some chance of that.
> > and the low rpm oil sender is under the left tin ...
> > those can be tricky to get off too if exhaust nuts or bolts at the top of
> them are rusty.
> >
> > btw..
> > some people think all the oil in the engine will drain out when you
> remove the oil filter.
> > it won't, only a little will spill.
> > you could even just have a loose oil filter.  But check that nut !
> >
> > also check for this..
> > this has blown up engines  !
> > make sure there is only one oil filter gasket/seal on the oil filter.
> >
> > once in a while the old one sticks to the engine ..the low paid tech at
> jiffy lube doesn't notice, slaps on a new oil filter .there are two seals
> there ..
> > it can seal just well enough to allow the car to go 20 miles then pump
> out all it's oil and run the engine.
> > It has happened.
> > such a large leak like you are having should be fairly easy to find.
> > I don't think you'll need this but a low tech oil leak finder is white
> baby powder sprayed on the engine.
> > Just one of my many many useful tricks on cars and vanagons.
> >
> > Scott
> > www.turbovans.com
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Aaron" <a.robinson.lists@GMAIL.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:19 AM
> > Subject: Oil leak...
> >
> >
> > I'm trying to ID and oil leak and figure out how hard it would be to fix.
> This type of thing is something I haven't done much of..Please feel free to
> refer me to the bentley. I haven't looked yet, but will be tonight and
> figuring if I want to take this to a pro or if it's something I can tackle
> in an evening or two.
> >
> > On my '87 2.1L van, I've been getting a nice 6" round oil spot under the
> van every time I stop and spots on the back hatch. Last night I pressure
> washed the oil-caked area on the front/bottom of the engine (back side of
> the van) and it appears that the leak is coming from an area above the oil
> filter housing. I can't see where as it's too tight to see around the heat
> shield. I also looked around the main pulley seal, and I don't see any oil
> that's apparent there. I do see a ground wire running to the back area there
> and it appears that there may be some sensor there.  As I said, I haven't
> looked at the bentley yet and will be when I get home, but I wanted to get a
> good start.
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Aaron
>