oil leak, Arrrrhhhhhh

[japandy]

Hi got a oil leak that is getting worse, i think it is the crank shaft seal, but my mechanic has said to get a crank shaft and a camshaft seal. Are the two the same or different? Also what gaskets do i need? Im getting the cambelt done at the same time is their just one type of cambelt? My car is 1989 scala 1.8i dx engine i think. I appreciate any info.

[james butler]

camshaft seal and intermediate seals are the same but the crank seal will be different.
the timing belt im pretty sure is generic in the 1.8 vw range of that era but quote your reg at a local parts place to make sure they order the correct one.

[Nate]

ARPS™

[Village Idiots]

My local dealer, when given reg. number, came up with a belt of the correct length but 25mm wide instead of 18. Good job I knew it was too wide before strip down! So beware!

[japandy]

I will defo look out for that, thanks for all the help guys. The rocco is trying at time everytime i sort one problem another pops up

[mark1gls]

Cam belt
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... 422&000336
tensioner
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... d10&000091

Lots of info on changing cam belt change, once the covers are off you will be able to see if you have a oil leak on the camshaft or intermediate shaft, they use the same seal for both.
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... 955&000426

Some pics
Cam shaft seal.


Intermediate shaft seal and crank shaft seal.



The usual cause of an oil leak is the rocker cover you can upgrade it to a rubber gasket from a Mk3 golf or the cork type does work but does need replacing for new if cover removed and torqued down right as over doing it causes more of an oil leak.

Do you have a picture of the oil leak, remove the top cambelt cover (only 2 bolts and 1 allen key head bolt) and check/clean around the head for a leak.

[james butler]

dont forget to clean the rocker cover breather vent gauze out as it will be full of grot and can be the cause of excessive crankcase pressure building up and can cause leaks.
i had weeping seals and when i replaced them the cam seal popped right back out a week later. turned out my rocker cover breather gauze was blocked so had to remove the rocker cover and clean it out. the amount of gunge that came out after a good degrease was amazing.
ive had no issues since so is worth doing while you have the chance.

[Village Idiots]

If you decide to change your own cambelt, a couple of tips:
Check things, then check them again, to make sure everything is in sync.
Before you fire it up, turn the engine over for two complete revolutions with a spanner on the wheel hub nut (car in gear!). This way you can feel if anything is going to foul because you got things wrong. If you simply spin it on the starter and it's wrong, the damage is done.

[japandy]

If you decide to change your own cambelt, a couple of tips:
Check things, then check them again, to make sure everything is in sync.
Before you fire it up, turn the engine over for two complete revolutions with a spanner on the wheel hub nut (car in gear!). This way you can feel if anything is going to foul because you got things wrong. If you simply spin it on the starter and it's wrong, the damage is done.

Ok thanks i dont think i feel confident enough to do mine own cambelt as ive never done one before so looks like a trip to a garage and a large bill.

[japandy]

Cam belt
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... 422&000336
tensioner
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... d10&000091

Lots of info on changing cam belt change, once the covers are off you will be able to see if you have a oil leak on the camshaft or intermediate shaft, they use the same seal for both.
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... 955&000426

Some pics
Cam shaft seal.


Intermediate shaft seal and crank shaft seal.



The usual cause of an oil leak is the rocker cover you can upgrade it to a rubber gasket from a Mk3 golf or the cork type does work but does need replacing for new if cover removed and torqued down right as over doing it causes more of an oil leak.

Do you have a picture of the oil leak, remove the top cambelt cover (only 2 bolts and 1 allen key head bolt) and check/clean around the head for a leak.

Thank that helps alot i can get the parts ordered. The bloke at my local car parts shop has quoted double that.

[mark1gls]

Garage bill for a for cam belt change should only be about an hours labour if all goes well as I can change mine in under a hour. The problems start if things don't come undone and you can find the the belt goes on first time no problems or you can spend a few attempts getting it all lined up as things move when you tension the belt.
Garage should only be quoting for cam belt and tensioner as I've heard of some places wanting to change the water pump as well, if the garagedoes quote for a cambelt and water pump change WALK AWAY as they don't know these simple engines!

(The water pump does not run from the cambelt and can be changed at any time with ease as its fixed to front of the engine unlike modern cars which have the water pump hidden behind cover and run from the cam belt)

[mark1gls]

Euro car parts or gsf is also sell them if you want to go and collect the bits instead of delivery.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/

Also a good place for genuine VW oil filter and quality parts.

http://vwspares.co.uk/

[japandy]

Thanks everyone for the help, ive slowly working through the list of things to do.