by edd_barker » Mon Sep 26, 2011 2:49 pm
Hi all,
my MK6 350 90 2003 LWB transit Luton has leaked oil since I've owned it, at 158,000 miles I'm not surprised. I've changed the rocker cover, head gasket, sump sealant, fuel pump, heat exchanger, timing chain cover vacuum pump gaskets, and still she drips on!
I have been told by a mechanic I didn't entirely trust (he did the head gasket 3 months ago) that it is now the crankshaft gasket, which essentially splits the block below the head and above the sump, and is a MAJOR engine rebuild. There is a weep from this seal, at the front, drivers side of the block, but she does now drip from a few areas.
I would be happy to live with this leak, but since having the head done my dipstick has shown massive variations in the oil level, so I haven't really got a clue how much is in there. If I check after a night parked up, it will appear an inch or so over the max. Then if I check after a couple of hours cooling down time after a drive, its generally much nearer the MAX mark, but still often over it.
My next step is to drain the oil and measure how much I have, and then refill with the correct amount, which I believe is 7 litres? I'm hoping (ha) this will magically cure the problem, but I doubt it somehow.
So if anyone has any advice, I would really like to know:
How major is a crankshaft gasket replacement, is it worth doing?
What could be causing the variation in oil level, are there any other ways to tell how much oil I have e,g noise of timing chain? My oil warning light has never come on.
Does anyone know a reputable garage that can take a 10ft8 luton within 50 miles of London!
Many thanks, any advice is much appreciated.
Edd