4quattroauto

Located source of massive oil leak on my B4. Front crank seal had worked its way out of the socket. Has anyone heard of this happening? The seal was installed 18 mos./12k miles ago. Seal was installed with correct seal removal/installation tool. Seal was Victor Reinz 034 115 147A from Blauparts. Happened during very cold 8 degree F weather w/15W50 Mobile 1 oil.

4Driver4

I would check the crankcase breather system for blockages.

4quattroauto

crankcase vent components to check, Bentley vague about this. How is bottom end vented? Had 2411 EGR code before failure. Intend to clean IM and EGR. Oil pump, upper/lower oil pans off now. Really appreciate your input.

moribundman

use 15W-50 in subfreezing temperatures? That oil is fine for racing in the desert. At subfreezing temps you will have very high startup wear with even a 5W-X oil, and you should be using a 0W-X oil, which is as thin as possible when cold.

Don't know about the seal working its way out...

4quattroauto

and it covered the whole range of temps. here. Had the 1995 90Q since new and I don't think 5W (and certainly not 0W) even existed when I got it. Not mentioned in manual. Always used 15W Mobile 1 changed a 4k miles. Has 208k and looking at the crank, rods, cams, little wear showing. Imagine the life with the new oils. I use 5W40 in my 01 S4 and will put that in the 90 when I get it back together. I'm guessing the bottom end is vented through the lube passages and when the cold 15W filled them up, pressure pushed out the seal.

moribundman

Your 95 likely says you need VW 500 spec oil. Backwards compatible are VW 502 and VW 505.01. I would not use VW 504 (which is also backwards compatible) in any flat tappet cam engine. Anything from 0W-30 to 10W-60/20W-50 will work as long as it meets ACEA A3 or VW 502 or VW 505.01. For all year around use a 5W-40 is hard to beat.