Question for mechanic

[Bill B. Johnson]

I can usually answer almost any question since I have had lots of
experience as a back yard mechanic working on my own cars and the cars of
other people. However, a co-worker asked me a question about his car that
I could not answer since it's beyond by mechanical knowledge.

My friend has a very old VW beetle aka bug. It does not have a
radiator--it's air cooled. He said that gas is mixing with the oil. He
said the vehicle does not produce lots of smoke. He said that oil was NOT
mixing with the gas. My first thought was bad rings but when he told me
that the vehicle did not produce large amounts of smoke--I had to admit
that it was NOT bad rings. I don't know much about head gasket related
problems. Could it be a bad head gasket?? What else could be causing this
problem??

 

[N.E.Ohio Bob]

I think he is not warming the engine enough to drive off the water
vapor that normally collects. These engines need frequent oil changes,
and the old ones have an oil screen that has to be removed and cleaned.
Might be a good idea to pop off the valve cover and see if there is a
lot of built up gunk in there.
There is a great book about VW maintenance for dummies. I recommend it.
bob

 

['Curly Q. Links']

I can usually answer almost any question since I have had lots of
experience as a back yard mechanic working on my own cars and the cars of
other people. However, a co-worker asked me a question about his car that
I could not answer since it's beyond by mechanical knowledge.

My friend has a very old VW beetle aka bug. It does not have a
radiator--it's air cooled. He said that gas is mixing with the oil. He
said the vehicle does not produce lots of smoke. He said that oil was NOT
mixing with the gas. My first thought was bad rings but when he told me
that the vehicle did not produce large amounts of smoke--I had to admit
that it was NOT bad rings. I don't know much about head gasket related
problems. Could it be a bad head gasket?? What else could be causing this
problem??

-----------------
Bill,

The inside of the mechanical fuel pump on my old Volvo started to leak,
pouring fuel into the oil by way of the camshaft (which pumped the fuel
pump) It took a while to figure it out.

'Curly'
-----------------

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
Carb can cause that.
Tony

-----------------
Bill,

The inside of the mechanical fuel pump on my old Volvo started to leak,
pouring fuel into the oil by way of the camshaft (which pumped the fuel
pump) It took a while to figure it out.

'Curly'
-----------------

 

[Ricky Spartacus]

My first thought was bad rings but when he told me

that the vehicle did not produce large amounts of smoke--I had to admit
that it was NOT bad rings.

Could be intake - head gasket? - never seen a bug.
Rick

 

[Striker]

I agree with the guy that said the carb could be the problem. If the needle
valve is stuck open, it will leak gas down in the oil pan.

 

[Dave Dodson]

--
Hunt hard...Kill quick...Offer No Apologies!

Could be intake - head gasket? - never seen a bug.
Rick

Only two causes for this problem 1) worn rings; and 2) carb which has been
suggested by other posters. However, how much smoke is there and what is the
conditions of the spark plugs. If it is the rings, there should be some oily
build up on the plugs. If it is the carb, it should show and over rich
running condition. Usually, it is not a needle valve sticking but rather a
float that is either fuel saturated and don't float any longer or the shut
off valve (operated by the float) is worn and even with the float in the up
position fuel is still flowing when is should be shut off. If this is a
fuel-injected set up, then either the pressure regulator or the fuel pump
relay may be faulty. I doubt that it is the head gasket because you should
see evidence of oil in the exhaust system.

Dave D

 

[Leon]

I can usually answer almost any question since I have had lots of
experience as a back yard mechanic working on my own cars and the cars of
other people. However, a co-worker asked me a question about his car that
I could not answer since it's beyond by mechanical knowledge.

My friend has a very old VW beetle aka bug. It does not have a
radiator--it's air cooled. He said that gas is mixing with the oil. He
said the vehicle does not produce lots of smoke. He said that oil was NOT
mixing with the gas. My first thought was bad rings but when he told me
that the vehicle did not produce large amounts of smoke--I had to admit
that it was NOT bad rings. I don't know much about head gasket related
problems. Could it be a bad head gasket?? What else could be causing this
problem??

You may have a leaky carburetor (as already suggested) but I would take a
good look at the mechanical fuel pump - perhaps it is leaking gas directly
into the crankcase.

Bye,
Leon