IP Leak at sprocket

[dlorimer]

Hi, I have an 85 VW Jetta Diesel that broke a cam about a year ago.  I finally got everything back together to work on it now, but when I put the belt back on, the IP started leaking!
The IP was rebuilt about 1.5 years ago.  The car sat for about a year.  It's leaking from behind the sprocket and running down onto the belt.  I don't want to get a new IP or get this one rebuilt, since it just was not very long ago!  What would cause it to start leaking like this?  I took the belt back off, but it still keeps leaking.

PDJetta posted a way to fix here:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=155404

Would that work for my IDI?  If so, does anybody have a recommendation of where to get the seal?
Thanks!

[rallydiesel]

If the timing belt was tensioned too tight then it will wear the bushings and cause the mainshaft to wiggle and the seal to leak. You may just have a dried out seal. Changing out the seal is easy but if the bushings are worn you will need to get the pump completely torn apart.

[Quantum TD]

YOu can replace just that seal. Some sellers on ebay (NOT PROTHE!!!) sell just the input shaft seal.

It's easy enough to replace on the car.

But, before you do that, I'd drain the IP, and then fill it with ATF.  I've also heard that running high-percentage ethanol will soften up the seal too.

I'm sure it's not damaged, just dried out. The ATF and/or ethanol gas mixed with diesel will soften it up. The question becomes, will it soften it up enough to prevent leaking? You'll have to try and see. Or, replace the seal and forget about it.

Also, if you find that other seals start leaking, it's not the end of the word. You will not need to get your pump rebuilt, provided it's running fine aside from the leaking. You can have (user name) red---rider on ebay reseal it for about $150 including shipping both ways. He does a great job if you don't want to tackle it yourself. To find him, go to ebay's Advanced Search Option, and search by seller. Copy and paste his user name in there and you'll find his listing for pump reseal service.

Good luck.

[mtrans]

Perhaps a Viton seal for Bio-ethanol etc, it`s brown color one.

[Dakotakid]

I think this was the ebay-er who sold me 4 of them recently:
sam_the_diesel_man

I have purchased a number of seal kits from him and he is absolutely honest. Always Zexel or Bosch material. Lightening-fast delivery with no failures.

[745 turbogreasel]

A seal which lived a long life on regular diesel, then made the switch to ULSD will be prone to spontaneous leakage.  You can change that one, but other leaks may soon follow.

[Quantum TD]

I think this was the ebay-er who sold me 4 of them recently:
sam_the_diesel_man

I have purchased a number of seal kits from him and he is absolutely honest. Always Zexel or Bosch material. Lightening-fast delivery with no failures.

I've bought from him too. Always good stuff.

[Patrick]

Changed ONLY that seal on mine about 4 years ago, hasn't leaked a drop since.

[dlorimer]

Thanks everyone!  This is very helpful.  I think I'll try to swell it first - it's supposed to be a USLD seal, and it's fairly new.  If not, I'll switch it out.  Thanks again!

[Wayland]

I think this was the ebay-er who sold me 4 of them recently:
sam_the_diesel_man

I have purchased a number of seal kits from him and he is absolutely honest. Always Zexel or Bosch material. Lightening-fast delivery with no failures.

I've bought from him too. Always good stuff.

X3

[Dakotakid]

You will need to send an email to this guy (on ebay) as he doesn't just sell the front seal by itself. Just ask him if he will sell the seal you need and buy 2 or 3 of them and keep them on hand. I think they were like 4 to $5 each. He will sell them direct and take paypal.