Oil sump plate

Going to replace it yet once again...keep on dinging it somehow .

Question: The gasket kits come with brass washers and TWO gaskets. I have been putting both gaskets one on top of the other then the plate on my deep sump. Seems OK, but is that what we are supposed to do with the 2 gaskets? Double it up?

It's for the screen in a stock engine. One gasket, then screen, then second gasket, then sump-plate. Secure with nuts using copper washers. It's the stupidest set-up in automotive history.

//www.mainelycustombydesign.com/engine_components.htm

Just curious, Stan. What makes it stupid ? Three pieces, two gaskets + fasteners seems to make sense.

Sure, it makes sense (?), but it didn't filter anything smaller than a rock and it almost always leaks. Nothing wrong with that, I guess.....

I'm quite aware that it doesn't filter much of anything, Gordon. I thought Stan was thinking the orientation or placement of the two gaskets wasn't such a good idea...that's the way I read it anyway. Just trying to learn here.......

I wonder how many people run without the screen.

I got some silicone gaskets and two of them and the screen were too thick for the studs with my aluminum plate.

So I eliminated the screen. I am using a full flow filter. The screen would, however, keep big chunks out of the oil pump.

I don't have a screen... so I'll put only one on...

Bottom of sump
(1) gasket
Plate with 6 bolts

Sounds like a plan?

For such an ingenious and simple car, much less proven itself... More bolts hold on a useless screen that leaks than holds in the engine... New to these VW's and when I discovered that this was how oil changes are done, I had to sit down. It blew me away. Can you imagine taking a bug to jiffy lube and the look they will give you when they can't find the filter? Or when they put the impact on those tiny little nuts holding on the sump dump. Anyway, yes, pan,gasket, screen, gasket, sump plate. You need to throw the copper washers away if you got 7 new washers in you mail order ONLY oil change kit. NO auto parts store that I called actually stocked a kit for a car that was lived on by 25,000,000 sales... Rant over! Hahahahha


Gordon and Stan-- I was laughing aloud when I read your post...

Mike!

Shoot a nice, 1/8" bead of RTV around both sides of the gasket, circling each stud hole, and then let it cure for 15-30 minutes to allow the bead to firm up.

After 20-30 minutes, install everything and torque it to spec (I think those nuts are 11 inch pounds. That usually cures the leaks (for a while at least).

Be VERY careful when torquing the nuts as you can all too easily strip the steel studs out of the aluminum sump. Better yet, install a Mainely Custom by Design sump cover with a drain plug and add an external oil filter. Then you can permanently seal the sump plate.

I have an external filter with 2 hoses (one was the cause of the leak) which has been replaced. So I have a filter. I have a deep sump. If I blocked it off, would I just have a bolt in the middle to drain the oil?

That external filter is a bit misleading I think. Don't you have to pull the engine, pull the doghouse, pull the oil cooler, and put in a plate, then reinstall everything?

Nope.

Engine stays in. Fan shroud stays in place. Existing oil cooler never gets touched. In fact, very little gets touched, other than drilling a hole for the return line from the filter (and that may not even be needed if you get one of those trick oil pump covers).

I did mine in an afternoon.

Mike: Get one of these:

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1287

I see that CB Performance makes a #4 maxi pump, which has in/out threads... Very simple. I am doing this! Thank You Gordon.

I bought this for the second time..

http://www.cip1.ca/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D113%2D115%2D181%2DA

My big issue was the gaskets. I have a dozen in my kit and have always put the 2 one one top of another. Assuming that was right. I think it's not correct, one will do. The gasket kits come with new washers so that's no problem.

Thanks

Hi Mike,

first of all I have to say sorry for my bad english, because I live in germany.
But come back to your question, here is a pic where you can see how it works...
"Dichtung" = gasket

regards
Thomassy

Lane, you have to be careful with sealing the Mainley sump plate.
I did that and then had a hell of a time getting it off after an encounter with a dip in the pavement. It turned my sump plate into a pringle as the contact point was the drain plug. They should recess the plugs.

i think roland has the perfect sump plate. looks like mainley but the drain plug is recessed and is a plug that has a large indent for large hex wrench.