So Scott,

My engine is a year old and has 5,000 miles on it. I changed the oil at 500, 3000, mile increments then switched from Dino to Mobil 1 15/50. It was clean each time. Since the rebuild it has had an oil leak since day 1. Very minor though. Maybe I had to add a quart every 4-6 months. Prior to the rebuild never it never had one oil leak.

90% of the driving is on local back country hilly roads with some minor 15 minute highway drives. I just did my first long drive with the fan which was 3 hours. The temp gauge never went higher than halfway. I have external bus boys oil cooler on it as well as an external Smallcar tranny cooler on it. I looked and did not see any leaks coming from the hoses.

Where should I be looking for leaks? I just checked the engine casing tonight and I could not see anything leaking. I do clearly see that some oil has been coming from the what seems to be the fly wheel because I can see some oil spattered on the edge where it mates to the automatic transmission.

Where should I be looking on the breathing system for clogs?

I did see this small hole on auto tranny that if you were facing the rear of the vehicle it was on the passenger side. It looked like a screw was suppose to go in there but it was just a small hole that was exposed. I assume this is breathing vent for the tranny?

Rob

On May 25, 2011, at 7:38 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:

> any time you are thinking about oil leaks and oil seals,
> also consider crankcase blow by ..
> if it is excessive, as in worn/tired engine.........or if the breathing
> system is clogged or restricted..
> that can cause leaks right past oil seals.
>
> most oil seals do not leak just sitting ..
> engine needs to run a while.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:07 PM
> Subject: Re: Overfilling the oil issues
>
>
>> Yeah I am seeing oil coming from between the flywheel on the engine and
>> automatic tranny connection.
>>
>> The just washed the vans engine off with water tomorrow in the morning I
>> am going to put it on a my ramps and crawl under to see if it leaks over
>> night. I will take some photos of it and then drive it and retake photos
>> and get under it again.
>>
>> Fluid is suppose to be checked on level ground with the engine warm
>> correct?
>>
>> Robert
>>
>> On May 24, 2011, at 9:50 PM, Edward Maglott wrote:
>>
>>> You don't even need to drain it to replace that O-ring for the governor
>>> cover.  It seems odd that it is leaking there.  I'm not sure but I think
>>> that is uncommon.
>>>
>>> If the engine oil is coming out of the openings between the engine and
>>> transmission, where the torque converter spins, I think the rear main
>>> seal is about the only thing in there that could be leaking.  you could
>>> try cleaning that area so that you can see better where the leak is
>>> coming from.  The seal on the torque converter can leak, but that would
>>> be ATF not engine oil.
>>>
>>> Good luck!  Edward
>>>
>>> At 07:13 PM 5/24/2011, Robert Stewart wrote:
>>>> Thanks Ed the thoughts.
>>>>
>>>> Yes what you are explaining the Governor Cover is where I see a lot of
>>>> tranny fluid and it's slowly leaking downward. I assume to repair this I
>>>> need to drain all the fluid out and then pop that off to add a new O
>>>> Ring seal?
>>>>
>>>> I have been looking at the samba for over an hour, seems like a lot
>>>> people have this rear main seal issue. I am not even sure that is where
>>>> the oil is coming from but it's clearly leaking from above the engine
>>>> and flowing down the backside of the engine casing. Could it be a oil
>>>> sensor that has gone bad and is now leaking?
>>>>
>>>> Rob
>>>>
>>>> On May 24, 2011, at 2:37 PM, Edward Maglott wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> That place on the tranny is the governor cover.  Round cap with metal
>>>>> band
>>>>> holding it.  I believe there is also a vent directly above that on top
>>>>> of
>>>>> the transmission.  It is a nubbin with a loose fitting but attached cap
>>>>> on
>>>>> it.  Sometimes that will get clogged and not properly vent air out of
>>>>> the
>>>>> tranny and cause fluid to be forced our elsewhere.  I wouldn't worry
>>>>> about a
>>>>> little leaking at the governor cover, unless it is a symptom of larger
>>>>> issue.  Also that O-ring is pretty easy to replace with the tranny in
>>>>> the
>>>>> van.
>>>>>
>>>>> Assuming it is definitely engine oil coming from the area of joining
>>>>> with
>>>>> the transmission, the rear main seal is the only thing I can think of.
>>>>> I
>>>>> suppose with the overfilled situation, pressure might have damaged that
>>>>> but
>>>>> it seems odd that that would be the weakest point, as others more
>>>>> knowledgeable than I have pointed out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes mine has made me want to pull my hair too.
>>>>>
>>>>> Edward
>>>
>>>