I recently purchased a very tidy 2001 1.9 Combi with 230k kms ....???  There is a light engine oil leak which appears to be from between the engine/gearbox. Is this normal as i read that these PTFE seals are pretty solid. We tried checking kms on car vertical but nothing was recorded.

 

Are aftermarket seals ok as i have read of issues with some brands? I have purchased a Skoda gearbox input shaft seal as it well priced but their crankshaft seal is expensive.

 

Finally can an issue with crankshaft bearings cause seal failure or is their anything else I should check/inspect.  

Worn main bearings can certainly cause crank seal failure but I'd be surprised if that's the problem. Are you certain that the leak is not from the sump joint since any oil leaking from the rear main seal would tend to stay inside the bell housing and not be visible?

Thanks Sepulchrave i'll jack up car and have a good look when weather clears. There is a definite slow drip after driving car but stops  leaving a very small amount at base of bell housing. 

 

I sorted a leaking tandem pump recently with new seal kit and was hoping it was just residue oil and diesel finding its way down. Fingers crossed!

 

On 03/09/2023 at 09:30, Fabish said:

I recently purchased a very tidy 2001 1.9 Combi with 230k kms ....???  There is a light engine oil leak which appears to be from between the engine/gearbox. Is this normal as i read that these PTFE seals are pretty solid. We tried checking kms on car vertical but nothing was recorded.

 

Are aftermarket seals ok as i have read of issues with some brands? I have purchased a Skoda gearbox input shaft seal as it well priced but their crankshaft seal is expensive.

 

Finally can an issue with crankshaft bearings cause seal failure or is their anything else I should check/inspect.  

PTFE seal are (...)pretty solid(...) only in theory.
Already saw posts in other forums concerning leaking Octavia Mk3 PTFE seals, for example.

+ my personal experience with EarthMoving machines where manufacturer converted from radial seal to PTFE seals- I not recognized that they last longer.
+ PTFE seal must be mounted correctly and it's must "sat down" few H before starting engine.

Thanks indars. This is my first experience with PTFE seals and have also read great care is needed when fitting.

 

I have just purchased an Elring seal and the outer dust seal is distorted. In your experience would this cause any problems long-term? The packaging had been resealed. Sorry i can't upload images.

For clarification the outer dust seal is distorted 'with' the plastic mounting insert fitted. I have read some have had leaks and upon disassembly they have said the seal lip had been rolled. 

On 09/09/2023 at 10:42, Fabish said:

For clarification the outer dust seal is distorted 'with' the plastic mounting insert fitted. I have read some have had leaks and upon disassembly they have said the seal lip had been rolled. 

I wouldn't install distorted seal even if this refers just to dust lip (but not to main sealing place). Distortion will not came back to normal form after installation. But in general, Elring is good brand of sealing materials. Victor Reinz, Corteco- those also are great.

I will have it replaced then and thanks for feedback on brands.

Just following up on seal replacement. I did fit an aftermarket PTFE one piece seal which leaked even though I removed the sump and took great care in fitting. From here I decided to fit the old 3 piece VW system 

 

    1. radial lip seal (Corteco 12015257B)
    2. aluminium mounting flange (VW 055103173B) 
    3. gasket (Elring 915.728) 
    4. gasket cement (Loctite 5923)

 

No more leaking rear main seal! Other leaks that I found and sorted were

 

    1. Tandem pump (oil and diesel leaking)
    2. Coolant flange below tandem pump
    3. Clutch slave cylinder
    4. leak from 'VW'  embossed flange under gearbox.

 

Hope this may help others