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1997 Volkswagen Polo oil leak from engine

Tiny
FULLSCRIM
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 VOLKSWAGEN POLO
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 97,000 MILES
My engine seal(?) Appears to be leaking, I bought the car with this leak and it has worked fine for a year. The oil has always stayed in the hatched area on the dipstick thank god but I'm fixing up the car myself now and wondering what I should do about this.
Also I filled up the oil to the max level and it leaked out to just over the hatched area on the dipstick.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 9:59 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
What seal is leaking?
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
You can either change it out which requires a good bit of work on a sideways engine. Would have to remove harmonic balancer. Can be done usually by removing right front wheel and wheel fender liners to get to balancer. Or you can try an oil system sealer which you can buy at parts stores. Front crank seals are fairly inexpensive. I presume you are talking about the front seal or may you be referring to rear seal between engine and transmission?
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for the replies, I should have said that I'm not sure if it is a seal as I am a novice when it comes to working with cars. I was just wondering if it is a serious problem and if you guys knew what might be leaking or how I would go about finding the leak myself (what needs to be taken off?).
I would like to figure out exactly what is leaking before I try any sealer products and such.

Thanks in advance
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Can you give me a detailed description of where the leak is coming from or possibly a photo?
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
FULLSCRIM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I attached 5 photos to the original post, are they not showing?
Ill attach them again to this post and if that fails I uploaded them here:

http://postimg.org/gallery/rn9hjmk/

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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Sorry, didn't see them earlier. Looks to be a camshaft seal. Would require pulling off cam gear and redoing timing when you install gear back on.
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
FULLSCRIM
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks a lot! I'll have a read through the haynes manual.
Anything I should be aware of before jumping in?
Do you think I could manage it in a weekend?
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 2:22 PM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Just make sure timing is perfect before cranking. Check and double check. Its the most really important part.
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
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Alright, very much appreciated.
Thank you
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 12:53 AM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
You're very welcome. Let us know if we can assist you further.
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 5:38 AM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
I'm trying to lift the rear of my car and having some trouble. Using the specified jacking points from the manuals I do not have enough room to place my axle stands as the points are so close (jack is in the way in any configuration). I've read its possible to jack from somewhere on the rear beam so took some pictures.

Id like to know where the safest jacking point is on the rear beam and if it is even safe to jack my car from here as its very rusty

thanks
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Yes you can lift from rear axle bar. Anywhere is fine. Try getting some wood scraps and pulling up on them and jacking up on a board as well. Well give the extra rise you need. Be safe. Whatever wheels remain on ground please place bricks or blocks around them to prevent roll. Take the extra time to jack and lift vehicles safely.
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Saturday, February 1st, 2014 AT 2:15 PM

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