Oil leak - Timing Chain Cover / Oil Sump

[Crasher]

If you have poor torque on one of the bolts neat the oil galleries then yes, it will leak. The thread is into cast iron so I would use a Time Sert or Heli coil but this is specialised work.

[willdudeuk]

Ok so it sounds like it’s one of those bolts. Will need to take cover off to check. If so am I going to have to get the engine out to do it properly or can it be done in situ?

also what is the part number for the 2 o ring seals? Can’t seem to find it anywhere? 03c 109 293? X2

will there be no chance of saving the thread if it’s not torquing correctly?

are heli coil and time serts only for specialists to install?

is there a high probability I could duff up the block if I do it myself?

may just have to live with the issue by the sounds of things which is a bit of a pain.

wish I had done it whilst the engine was out - doh!!


if there are any other recommendations let me know.

appreciate all your help. Thanks.

[Crasher]

Yes the seals are 03C 109 293 at 92p. A HeliCoil or TimeSert must be done absolutely precisely or you will destroy the block, you only get one chance in thin walled areas, it could be done with the block lowered down and the car on a lift.

[willdudeuk]

So I will need an M6 helicoil or timesert to do the repair?

Do they come in different lengths or is it just one size?


Is there a preferred one to use? Is it cheaper to buy and do it yourself or to get an expert to come and do it?

thank you

[Crasher]

It is M6x1, the depths vary. Cost cannot come into this job, it is do or die…

[willdudeuk]

Thanks for the advice. I shall invest in the time sert as they look like they are better than the helicoil....(are they both solid inserts or is helicoil just a coil of wire?)


if after all this (replacing bolts, gasket, sealants, time sert / helicoil) and the problem still persists....what else could be wrong?

could there be an issue with the block, timing chain cover or sump?

perhaps one of combination is warped or damaged in some way?

let me know what you think. Cheers.

[Crasher]

With the CAVD I had nightmares with I became convinced I had a warped timing chain cover but I painstakingly checked it with a grade1 straight edge and could find nothing amiss and I was not prepared to throw another £500 at the engine on a guess plus I simply could not see how I was losing oil pressure because of a non wearing component. When the (£5k) genuine exchange engine arrived, it had been built with a new block, recon head, cleaned reused sump and brand new timing chain cover so why would VW fit a new timing chain cover for no reason… that was all I had to cling to.

[willdudeuk]

So could be the timing chain cover?

i do have a spare one from the previous engine so may be worth a try?

i thought it would better to keep the matched pair with the original
engine?

maybe it’s worth changing them over?

or buying a new one but that’s going to be expensive from VW.

[Crasher]

Yes a new one is £500+ VAT but they are not block/head matched.

[willdudeuk]

Got the sump and timing chain cover but can see anything obvious at why it is leaking?

Going to give everything a good clean up and refit, fingers crossed no more leaks.

It looks as if the timing chain cover gasket (rubber / metal thing) isn’t sealing properly for some reason?