why is my sump plate leaking oil from the bolts?

Can anyone explain this. I have changed the oil etc and a leak has begun from the bolts on the sump plate (type 1 engine) changed the strainer, gaskets washers etc.. It is all done up well. Elring gaskets and new copper washers. Its only a weep but annoying.

all cleaned off as well.

confused.

 

Have you got "acorn" nuts on the studs - the nuts with the rounded ends?

 

did you put a smear of grease on ya gaskets?

 

no just standard nuts. did smear them with grease.

 

Should it have the acorn nuts? it came with these standard nuts.

 

Stick some of these on them: http://www.justkampers.com/n0110624-domed-sump-nut-for-beetle-t2-and-t25-models.html.
That should do the trick.

 

Cool. on order.

 

They're the ones (although a quid each is extortion - 5p each from my local fastener supplier). I believe the acorns were fitted as standard, as oil can theoretically seep down the threads with standard ones.

 

Have ordered some from a fastener suppliers on't web. JK, and all the others, are always very expensive for fasteners.

 

If it wasn't leaking before with standard nuts, there's an issue and I can't see why the domed would make a difference other than disguise it?

I'd be looking to see if all the studs are in tight enough. Its possible that you've loosened one allowing oil to seep past its original position.

A fraction of a mm will allow that.

If the stud needs replacing, I have some spare from when I did the bug engine

 

checked the studs they are fine. Will fit the new nuts and see. cheers scoob.

 

over tightening of the nuts which in turn has distorted the sump plate?

 

I smell gravity's evil hand in all of this.

 

are the bolts on the sump plate the lowest point of the engine? The leak could be from elsewhere, but dripping off the sump nuts.

 

All sorted with the domed nuts.