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Wed May 22, 2019 9:54 am

Oil pump is leaking on my type 4 engine. Is it possible to remove with the engine in?
What’s the best way to ensure no leaks?

Wed May 22, 2019 10:28 am

Theoretically, yes, you could remove a few components and get at in in place. But what other work could benefit from a proper engine removal? I've done it both ways, and I prefer having the engine out.

Off the top of my head, you'd have to remove the heat exchangers, fan shroud, maybe the oil filler pipe, (which would be an oil change too,) thermostat cable, alternator, and all associated rear tin. Getting all that out isn't a major surgery, but getting it all back in may seem ridiculous with the engine in the car laying on your back.

Good luck,
Robbie

Wed May 22, 2019 10:34 am

Sure it is the oil pump leaking? I would suspect something leaking from above before I would suspect the oil pump, especially if you still have the Type 4 style pump.

Wed May 22, 2019 10:35 am

True; it's easy enough to pull the cooling fan and look around. Don't over-tighten the three bolts during installation.

Robbie

Wed May 22, 2019 11:19 am

Wildthings wrote: Sure it is the oil pump leaking? I would suspect something leaking from above before I would suspect the oil pump, especially if you still have the Type 4 style pump.

That's a good point. Oil often leaks far away from where it eventually drips to the ground. Removing an oil pump is enough of an ass ache that you would want to rule out other things first. It is also recommended to support the engine with a floor jack and remove the engine mounts on the moustache bar to get a clear shot with levers or big screw drivers at the ears on the pump housing. I don't see why you would need to remove the heater boxes, though I think the muffler has to come off to get the fan shroud off. I have also heard it recommended to loosen the nuts/bolts immediately above and below the pump along the case parting line. Unless you have a sturdy bench mounted engine stand, I don't see any advantage to removing the engine first unless you enjoy yanking it all over the bench or floor.

In my only attempt to remove the stock oil pump, I ended up breaking an ear off and ruining the pump, but in gazillion or so Samba threads I have read I can't recall a single one where someone else had this kind of trouble removing a pump.

Wed May 22, 2019 5:12 pm

The factory 'eared' pump can be worse than aftermarket to extract.
They may require loosening the case bolts from breather tower on down,
& use two bars evenly prying to extract without snapping an ear.

Wed May 22, 2019 7:18 pm

I've done it.

Not really too bad if you don't rush it.