Need Help with Oil Leak Diagnosis

[73ess]

Trying to trace down the source of a bad oil leak on my '73 2.0. Below are links to photos that show a good amount of oil leakage coming from the oil filter area (see photo of oil filter area and oil spot on ground). There is some leakage on the other side of the engine as well. The PO appears to have wire tied strips of sheet metal above the heat exchangers, so my guess is these leaks have been there for a while and he just never drove to root cause of the problem. I definitely see some oil leaking from the oil return tubes, so I'll replace those. But any other likely culprits in the oil filter area?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/munkmunk/080606020.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/munkmunk/080606022.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/munkmunk/080606023.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/munkmunk/080606024.jpg

[Bleyseng]

first change the pushrod tube and valve cover seals carefully and then see what leaking after really cleaning her up.

other leaks are the oil pressure sender, oil cooler seals and the oil filter assembly

[D1A3]

I had an oil leak too, much the same as you are describing on my '76 2.0.

Can you check your Oil Pressure Switch (it's right next to yor distributor with one wire connected)? If there is oil in the rubber boot (if you still have that) or sitting in the top groove, where the bottom metal part crimps over the top plastic part, then likely you are getting oil leaking from there.

The OP switch is a pretty cheap and easy fix, about $6-7. If/when you replace it, make sure to take an old piece of hose and push down over the top to remove/install it once it is loose. I tried to use my hand last night replacing mine and it dropped down under the engine tin. Fortunatley, I went underneath and could fish it out.

--Jason

[URY914]

Invest in a few cans of engine cleaner and hose it down until it is CLEAN as a baby's butt. Or take it to a self serve car wash and pressure wash it.

Jack it up, put it on jack stands and take the rear wheels of and let it idle. Put some cardboard down under it. Run it until you see the drips...

I'd say its about a 85% chance its the push rod tubes seals. That's too much oil for the oil pressure switch.

[Kevin Powers]

if the oil forms a puddle on the top of the oil filter (rather quickly), the oil cooler seals may be suspect. as paul suggested, take your car to a self spray. take your floor jack and get it up in the air. i suggest rain gear also. you'll need to lay on the ground.

k

[73ess]

Thanks guys. I'll follow everyone's advice and report results. I'm hearing different stories with pushrod tube seal replacement process. A mechanic in my area says the heads have to be removed to replace the pushrod tube seals, but I've read on this forum that the tubes "slip" out of the heads. Which advice is correct? Man, it sure it tight under these 914 engines. Even something as simple as a valve adjustment looks like it's way more challenging on a 914 than say a 356!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Your mechanic seems to think your car has a Bug engine or a 356 engine. Not so--the VW Type IV engine has pushrod tubes that simply slip out of the heads.

--DD