Pedestal leaking
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Pedestal leaking
I've had an oil leak on the right side that seems to be getting worse. I pulled the engine and found a sheen of oil running down the side into the cylinders. No oil on the left side where the oil cooler is. I have a new metal gasket. The photo shows I had a metal gasket sandwiched between two paper gaskets. Can I use just the metal gasket or do I need the paper also?
TIA,
kevin
TIA,
kevin
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- Lew
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Re: Pedestal leaking
Have you looked at your crankcase oil lately......I am concerned with the white looking oily substance inside your engine.
......You could have water in your oil! Water in the oil causes that gravy look.

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Re: Pedestal leaking
Oil on the dipstick looks normal. I assumed water was getting in the same place oil has been leaking, the pedestal gasket. But I plan to change the oil while the engine is out. Penzoil 10W30 okay for winter?
kevin
kevin
- sideshow
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Re: Pedestal leaking
The pedestal from the factory was paper-metal baffle-paper.
The trend today is light sealant-metal baffle-light sealant.
Either is fine.
The trend today is light sealant-metal baffle-light sealant.
Either is fine.
Yeah some may call it overkill, but you can't have too much overkill.
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Re: Pedestal leaking
Thanks. I can't find any paper but I've got Permatex 2 non-hardening sealant.sideshow wrote:The pedestal from the factory was paper-metal baffle-paper.
The trend today is light sealant-metal baffle-light sealant.
Either is fine.
kevin
- sideshow
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Re: Pedestal leaking
Lots of people use that.
Yeah some may call it overkill, but you can't have too much overkill.
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Re: Pedestal leaking
And that whitish goo could be that it has not been run long enough each time it is started to get hot enough to boil out the condensation. This happens a lot during the colder months especially. I had one sometime back that was leaking badly at the pedestal base because the aftermarket pedestal was not machined flat on the mounting surface. Cured with thick coating of RTV where it was not flat.
Fred
Fred
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Re: Pedestal leaking
I agree with the condensation being the milky substance you see. Some cars, even when taken good care of, are prone to having it.
If this is not a first time problem, then just a precaution I would also take a straight edge and lay it on each of the surfaces and across between surfaces to check to see if your pedestal is flat. If it is out'ta whack it can be easily fixed with some sandpaper taped to a flat piece of glass and you know the rest.
Lee
If this is not a first time problem, then just a precaution I would also take a straight edge and lay it on each of the surfaces and across between surfaces to check to see if your pedestal is flat. If it is out'ta whack it can be easily fixed with some sandpaper taped to a flat piece of glass and you know the rest.
Lee
- Jim Ed
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Re: Pedestal leaking
It needs the two paper gaskets with the metal louvred metal thing in between them.crvc wrote:Can I use just the metal gasket or do I need the paper also? TIA,
kevin
Use a thin layer of gasket sealer on the paper gaskets.
Note: The louvers in the metal filter should be down with the flat side of the louvers facing the flywheel (toward the front of the car).
…from vw.resource.com
http://www.vw-resource.com/longblock.html#pedestal
Alternator Pedestal
~~~
Use a thin coat of a sealer (e.g., Permatex) before placing down the a gasket, another thin coat of sealant, the louvered metal filter (which prevents blowback), another thin coat of sealant, and finally a second gasket.
Permatex® Ultra Copper® Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker
http://www.permatex.com/products/Automo ... _Maker.htm
Note: The louvers in the metal filter should be down with the flat side of the louvers facing the flywheel (toward the front of the car).
Put a thin coat of sealant around the edges of the second gasket, then install the pedestal over the four uupright studs in the engine block.
Secure the alternator pedestal with 13mm nuts and washers. Tighten the nuts securely.
- Jim Ed
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Re: Pedestal leaking
Remove the oil fill cap and look on the under side of it.crvc wrote:Oil on the dipstick looks normal. I assumed water was getting in the same place oil has been leaking, the pedestal gasket. But I plan to change the oil while the engine is out. Penzoil 10W30 okay for winter? kevin
Is there a film that looks like oily mayonnaise?
That means your engine has been running cold.
That is not good for it.
The oil should be changed more often like maybe once a month.
!0W 30 is good for cold weather.
I recommend Valvoline VR1. I has the zinc(ZDDP) additives needed for classic cars with solid lifters. If you don’t use it the cam shaft and the lifters will wear out faster.
Your local F.L.A.P.S. might have it. I could not find it there so I got it here:
I use this when it is under 85 F outside:
Valvoline Racing VV205 Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil JEGS
10W-30.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvoline-Racin ... 2eb897ed06
I use this when it is over 85F outside.
Valvoline Racing VV211 Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil JEGS
20W-50.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvoline-Racin ... 5d2fb888bb
- Lew
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Re: Pedestal leaking
Both your URL's to Ebay are no longer listed....
Here's some help showing the oil.
Click for the oil you use over 85 degrees
Click for the oil you use under 85 degrees

Here's some help showing the oil.
Click for the oil you use over 85 degrees
Click for the oil you use under 85 degrees
It's still in the Restoration Booth!
You can take a peek!
VW Help
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