Contrary to one of the more idiotic articles of received 'wisdom' about them, it's not just a matter of course that old V-dubs leak oil.
So the English language's considerable body of profanity came up short when I tried to express my feelings toward the 20W-50 dripping from Ludwig's hours-old engine.
After much cleaning and driving to determine the source of the offense, it was determined to be at or around the oil pump's cover plate. (Cover plate? Type IV oil pumps are basically NLA, so Ludwig has a Type I oil pump--disappointingly, a common enough modification--which requires the fitting of a cover plate.)
The fan housing needs to come off to get at the plate to reseal it. I was advised that all this--fan housing removal and oil pump cover plate replacement--could be done with the engine in the car. Indeed, as our experience shows, it can be done with the engine in the car. But the sense of 'can' in this case is about the widest sense of the word; it 'can' be done in that it doesn't violate a law of logic. However it nearly violates several laws of physics. Anyone finding themselves in a similar situation is hereby issued this caveat: Take. The engine. Out.
Esmé took the above few pictures, incidentally. She took this one because she (allegedly) didn't know I'd put this taillight back on, and was happy it was back.
There's the leaker: that lower left nut.
Seriously: Take. The engine. Out.
Amazingly, we were able to get it back together and it doesn't leak [knocks on wood]. In other words, two amateurs, under less-than-ideal conditions and while attending to their three year-old, were able to do what our very experienced and highly regarded engine builder with his trained staff and perfect workspace couldn't (or rather, didn't). That's not bragging--it's infuriating.
Next: Even more problems! Yay!
4 comments:
As "they" say -- if you want something done right, do it yourself. Ah-h-h if one only had all the time and money to do so.
Very impressive. In you retirement years, do you plan on being one of those guys like Uncle Gary that fixes other people's broken parts because they can't figure them out? :) Good job on the fix. Sorry there are more.
Whatever was in the box Mel was talking about that came in the mail?
The box was empty, but sent to be used to prevent oil drippings to reach garage floor ...
In all fairness to the engine builder, he was very apologetic when I talked to him about the situation. He is as at least as unaccepting of oil leaks as we are, and was a little frustrated that a leaky engine had left his shop. The box contained the materials (new gasket, sealer, instructions) for fixing the leak which he sent free of charge.
Alright,
Mitch.
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