oil leak

[Tinkertoy]

I just bought my trike have ridden it less than 300 miles and went out and started it yesterday and let it idle for a little bit and after I shut it off there was a good size puddle of oil under it . Looks like it is coming from the fly wheel seal is this a hard job to fix I don't know any thing about a VW.

[Rsw]

Was it coming out between the motor and bellhousing or just around the back of the motor?

[Tinkertoy]

It was hard to tell it was cold and I was mad so didn't look very hard it should warm up in a few days and I will look a little better.

[Rsw]

Clean everything up good so you can see for sure where the leak is. If it is a rear seal, the motor will have to come out to fix it.

[Rsw]

If your going to own a vw trike, you need to own this book. Well worth the money!!

How to Keep Your Volkswagon Alive | eBay

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[Tinkertoy]

Thanks Rsw I bought the book and as soon as I can I will get out to the garage and clean up the motor and see where the leak is coming from.

[Moon Dawg]

It may just be the O-rings between the block and the oil cooler that is inside the fan housing. If it is coming from the top and dripping down that would be the most likely place for an oil leak.

MD

[bigjoey38]

So are VW engines dependable? I have only had my trike for about 6, 7 months now and warmer weather is coming so. I would like to have it tune up, new wiring change over to electronic ignition etc... I think at this point needs timing adjustment.

[matman1972]

It all depends on who builds them and who maintains them. I had mine built to save time, and possible mistakes I may make, not being an expert in vw air cooled engines. The builder who did mine made everything from full blown race engines, to totally stock ones. Mine is as smooth as can be, lot of get up and go, and I wouldnt hesitate to take it on an extended trip anywhere. Never overheats or burns oil, and only a little cold blooded due to the longer runners from having a single carb.
I have had a couple bugs in the past. One ran forever (80000 mi since the time I bought it) with just a little maintanence, while the other had problems from the start, and I still managed to tune it and keep it limping along all through college.

[bigjoey38]

Thanks matman1972