Crank pulley question

gleason · Post by **gleason** » Sat Aug 03, 2002 6:37 pm

Just wondering exactly what prevents the crank pulley from leaking oil. I know that there is some type of washer (not sure of the name) and I believe the pulley butts up to it. My question is should the pulley be flush with the front of the crank? I think the Haynes mentions this, but I'm not sure. I had to replace a aluminum degree pulley that cracked and now I have an oil leak. The degree pulley didn't leak, but the original one does? I made sure that I put in a stock bolt because the chrome one looked to be longer. Thought it might bottom out before it would draw the pulley all the way in. Any hints??

71Vdubber · Post by **71Vdubber** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 6:50 am

The crank pulley doesn't leak oil as there is a left handed thread cut into the pulley mounting. This pushes any oil back into the case.

Post by **Marc** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 7:10 am

The pulley will bottom out internally before its face is flush with the end of the crank. If the thread that 71Vdubber mentioned is damaged or clogged it can't perform its function of "screwing" the oil back into the engine as it turns; inspect it closely and replace the pulley if you can't fix it up with a jeweler's file.

gleason · Post by **gleason** » Sun Aug 04, 2002 9:24 am

Well I pulled the pulley and checked it out. Threads all look good, the face that bottoms out on crank look good. What options do I have now? Put on about 5-10 miles and the engine compartment is all misted again. The tin under the crank pulley is dripping oil onto the header.

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Mon Aug 05, 2002 7:05 am

Is the case properly vented as to not collect excess pressure?

------------------
Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino" - FS
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese" - FS

gleason · Post by **gleason** » Mon Aug 05, 2002 8:09 am

I'm assuming that it does as nothing else was changed but the pulley. It does have air escaping when I pull off the breather cap (when running) and there is only a elbow on the breather tube by the filler. There is a steady release of air, but no real pressure. I don't know what would start causing excessive pressure by changing pulleys. I do know however that it is almost impossible for me to prevent the valve covers from leaking. I've tried all different combos of gaskets and covers with balun hold downs but never the bolt on type. It seems that the drivers side has more of a tendancy to leak than the passengers side. I had topped the oil before I went for a ride (50 miles) and that's when it started. Could there be a breather I'm not aware of?

TomB · Post by **TomB** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 6:53 am

You don't say what year, type of carbs, air cleaner, etc. If stock for most years it should have a breather hose connecting the oil filler to the air cleaner, so the intake partial vacuum helps vent the crankcase. Most pulley area leaks begin when something else is done with the breather instead. Of course, internal wear or damage that allows more blowby into the crankcase can overwhelm the venting system and cause leakage all the places you mention.
If possible I'd be sure the stock breather / aircleaner is set up right first, then if leakage continues run a cylinder leakage test. I don't like the sound of your description of a "steady release of air" with the filler cap off - sounds like you have excess blowby, and it may be rebuild time.

gleason · Post by **gleason** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 5:15 pm

It is a
stock 1600 with a standard breather/filler. It has a set of baby dells on
so the stock breather hose is no longer running to a carb/air cleaner. I
would assume that if it was, this would help alleviate some of the pressure
that's at the cap.

Maybe the 'steady release of air' was a poor choice of words. When I loosen the cap while running, it has enough blowby to rattle the cap, and if it sits long enough the cap will come off. My 73 SB with the stock engine does the same almost, while the 70 ghia which has a mex engine has hardly any rattle.
So, with the baby dells and CB aircleaners, how can I vent my system using my carbs and cleaners?
By the way, in case I haven't mentioned it, I really appreciate all the responses to this problem. I have like no vw mechs around here and all info is appreciatied.

TomB · Post by **TomB** » Wed Aug 07, 2002 6:56 am

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gleason:
<B> while the 70 ghia which has a mex engine has hardly any rattle.
</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have 3 mex engines that are also very tight and well-sealed, 20,000 on my daily driver and it's like new. Good product.

I have seen pulley leaks where the leak path was between the shaft and the pulley - out under the washer and bolt head; so check that too. (Wasserboxers added an oring to avoid this.)

I've seen venting into the aircleaners on duals using a bulkhead fitting into the aircleaner housing, but I've never cared for duals myself so I don't know sources. You might check aircooled.net, CB, etc websites.