Easy Oil Leak Fix

Oct 31, 2009 1 Replies

My 1973 Beetle's engine had a small oil leak.



When I changed the oil recently I noticed that during the last oil change, I had forgotten to remove the sealing washer from the drain plug. So it had two sealing washers on it.



That was probably the cause of one of the leaks.



To fix the leak I put a dab of Permatex bronze rtv sealant on each of the sump plate studs right before replacing the sump plate.



I also put the same rtv sealant on the threads of the drain plug.



Now it doesn't leak.



Has anyone got any tips on replacing the sump plate studs?



Mine are coming loose. I want to buy new studs and cap nuts and install the studs with red Loctite.



I thought that after draining the oil I would spray out each stud hole with carburetor cleaner and let it dry before installing the studs with the threadlocker.



...thanks again!


drain the oil... when it gets down to that long drawn out time where it just drips here and there, jack the car up and set the rear on stands... this will let any oil that is clinging to the inside of the sump run downhill to the front of the sump and out of your way... use brake cleaner to clean the threads in the tapped holes, it leaves no residues... then put the threadlocker on the studs and reinstall(torque to specs)

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