Kind of an off 1st gen topic. I'm doing a timing belt in a 1981 rabbit. The front seal looks to have a leak about 1 drip every minute. I have done many timing belts on these before. This is the first leaking seal I came across. Can this seal be found easily in the chicago area? And can it be installed easily with the pump on the car? I was hoping the seal was the same or could be had at the same place the cummins parts are sold. Kind of pressed for time on this project. Any help would be great.

 

I got a VE seal kit off of ebay for $30 with shipping last week and he had a few more. They say it is for all VE modles. Comes with all the seals and o-rings. The only other place is a pump shop. CARGO brand part #090041 may be able to find it at a parts place.

 

If you can get the timing cover and pully off the front of the pump you should be able to replace the seal. On the 1st gen it's possible to remove the pump without pulling the cover so that was easier for me. It simply presses in. I understand that the VW pump seal is a big problem because of the belt tension. The 1st gen pump is gear driven so the seal doesn't have near as much side stress on it.

Make sure there isn't a groove worn in the shaft and that the bushing in the pump isn't worn which would give you a lot of side to side play. This would make a seal replacement useless.

Edwin

 

Belt tension. Good point. I just noticed the leak once the tension was removed. Maybe the tension on the belt was holding the seal. So basically no special tools required. pry out the oil press in the new? Just like a one piece cam seal?

 

Yeah. I used a deep socket on mine. A spark plug socket in fact. I think the VW seal is a bit smaller but you should be able to find a socket or maybe a piece of pipe the right size. It shouldn't take a lot of pressure but you want to press it in straight. If you **** it it may leak around the side or be damaged. It's not rocket science.

Edwin

 

Well if I can find a seal tomorrow I will do it. Hopefully stuff is open for bussiness.

 

If it's the small one I think I have one I'll be happy to mail it to you no charge. The one I have is 1.105" O.D. with an unflexed I.D. of .625". Just PM me you address.

Edwin

 

I Found the seal locally at midwest fuel injection. 16 and change. Thanks for all the help. I think it is the smaller seal which is for the VW rabbits it appears because the guy didn't need all the numbers off the pump he knew right what I needed.