Oil Leaks, I am tired of them Options

[sdoolin]

Rebuilt my 2.0 back in 2016. Full "Raby Spec" 2056. Runs very well. It is out of the car right now as I am dealing with a rusty battery tray (separate thread on that). It appears that I have leaks at most/all of the pushrod tube seals, the valve cover seals, and the rear main seal. This is not a surprise to me, I clean the bottom of the engine regularly, and knew this day was coming

Pretty sure I used the Victor Reinz gasket set that came with my engine "kit" from the Type IV Store. I used the cork valve cover seals from the Victor Reinz set. I did not use any RTV anywhere. Hate the stuff. I know I used a rear main seal from GoWesty as someone back then had suggested it is a better part then what is included with the Victor Reinz set.

I installed new pushrod tubes and used the O-Rings from the Victor Reinz set.

Does anyone really have an oil tight VW Type IV engine? If yes, how does none do that?

[Shivers]

That is the rumor. My last T-4 build didn’t leak a drop till I put oil in it and started it. I always thought it was why they made the P tube's and valve cover gaskets so easy to replace. Gets pretty hot in socal.

[914sgofast2]

Jake Raby did a video about his frustration in finding a RMS that won’t leak. The video used to be on his Facebook page but he deleted it. In a nutshell, he concluded that no one sells a RMS that is any good. He found a seal he liked that doesn’t leak by using one from a military helicopter, but he is not revealing the source or identifying the seal info. There is another fix he discussed by adding third hole to the rear of the engine case so the oil trapped in the void at the rear of the main bearing can quickly drain back into the case. He said an upper hole has to be made as an air vent to prevent a vacuum forming between the bearing and the seal. If you look at your engine case you will see 2 drain back holes, but they are at the same level, so air can’t get in to that area and allow the oil to drain out.

[930cabman]

My 2056 build has a couple smallish pushrod tubes leaking, it's on the list for work items this winter. I will be dropping the engine to clean up a couple other items

[Geezer914]

I have a 26mm type 1 CB performance oil pump that puts out 78 psi at start up with Driven 15w50 oil. I have a few drips in the front which I think is from seeping past the oil cooler seals until the oil pressure drops to normal. Rear seal drips. I used an Elring oil seal vs the Victor Reinz. So it leaves a few drops on the floor to mark it's turf. It could be worse if you owned an XKE Jag!

[JeffBowlsby]

Jake also used to recommend plumbers pipe dope with Teflon in it for the pushrod tubes.

[Literati914]

what about the spring loaded tubes, effective or not?


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[Shivers]

what about the spring loaded tubes, effective or not?


.

On a type one, they would function. Don’t know if they would leak. But the type 4 push rod tube doesn’t work like that.

[AZBanks]

what about the spring loaded tubes, effective or not?


.

On a type one, they would function. Don’t know if they would leak. But the type 4 push rod tube doesn’t work like that.

I think he is talking about the "Leak Proof Pushrod Tubes" you can get from PMB Performance.

I recently installed them on my car and so far, so good but it has been less than 1000 miles.
I've got an oil leak but it is not in the pushrod tubes.

[barefoot]

For push rod tube seals, I didn't use the green ones from the kit but used
Parker 2-212 & 2-214 size Viton seals, no leaks. (I worked for Parker back then)

Barefoot

[Geezer914]

McMaster-Carr chemical resistant viton fluoroelastomer 1/8 fractional width, O-ring X profile.
2126540k152 (small end)
2146540k154 (large end)

Coat with DuPont Molycote 55 O ring grease.

No leaks!

[VaccaRabite]

I always fight with pushrod tube seals. You have to grease them prior to installing them. You also have to be sure the bores are CLEAN. If they are dirty, or have any burrs, you will end up with a pinched or cut pushrod tube seal and a leak.

Zach

[sdoolin]

McMaster-Carr chemical resistant viton fluoroelastomer 1/8 fractional width, O-ring X profile.
2126540k152 (small end)
2146540k154 (large end)

Coat with DuPont Molycote 55 O ring grease.

No leaks!

This is a beautiful thing. I'm ordering these seals and the grease today.

[sdoolin]

Thanks for all replies...

I have tried to find the McMaster-Carr X-ring seals, but alas, McMaster-Carr either no longer offers them, they have been superseded to a new part number, and/or my internet search skills are lousy. Very likely the later. If anyone has a good part number I'd love the assist.

Also, what is the current group-think regarding bolt on valve covers from LE (Type IV Store)? I think decades ago the BugPack bolt on valve covers were shamed? It sure seems like bolting these covers on would resist oil leakage better than the bales? Plus I think they look cool.

[Geezer914]

Thanks for all replies...

I have tried to find the McMaster-Carr X-ring seals, but alas, McMaster-Carr either no longer offers them, they have been superseded to a new part number, and/or my internet search skills are lousy. Very likely the later. If anyone has a good part number I'd love the assist.

Also, what is the current group-think regarding bolt on valve covers from LE (Type IV Store)? I think decades ago the BugPack bolt on valve covers were shamed? It sure seems like bolting these covers on would resist oil leakage better than the bales? Plus I think they look cool.

Go to McMaster Carr web page. In the search type in 212. It will take you to the o ring profile page. Click on the X ring profile. 212 is 7/8 ID x 1 1/8 OD. Then go back to the search box and type in 214, and do the same. 214 is 1 ID x 1 1/4 OD The 6540K152 and 6540K154 will be at the end of the line by the pricing.

[FlacaProductions]

Nice:
Here's the direct links -
212:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/o-rings/d...buna-n-o-rings/

and the 214:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/o-rings/d...buna-n-o-rings/

[Geezer914]

I had a pair of cast aluminium valve covers and it appeared they would not fit.

[technicalninja]

Took a bit to find the x shaped viton rings.

this is the page I'll order off of.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/o-rings/x...stomer-o-rings/

Just find 212 and 214 in the 1/8" selection.
The other fractional sizes don't exactly match the dimensions.

Thanks to Geezer914 for the initial heads up on these.

I like them a bunch better than regular or square cut versions.

Flaca's link are buna and square cut.

The smaller ones are in packs to 10, the bigger packs of 5 (darn it all!)

[914werke]

what is the current group-think regarding bolt on valve covers from LE (Type IV Store)? It sure seems like bolting these covers on would resist oil leakage better than the bales? Plus I think they look cool.

Im in agreement but cant get past the $$ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[sdoolin]

Thank you geezer for the explicit instructions - very helpful. I had to order a pack of 100 of the 212s, and a pack of 25 of the 214s. Which is fine. I'll have plenty of spares for the community. Looks like they will be here tomorrow. Ordered the Dupont Molykote 55 a little earlier. It ships in a week.

Feeling good about the solution!