Steve:

As far as the oil leak, if it is a 2.1, it has an oil cooler sandwiched
above the oil filter. These seal to the oil filter mount with a big
o-ring which is noted for its failures. One can unscrew the hollow
center stud (pipe) and replace the o-ring without disconnecting the
hoses. If this is a 1.9, then nothing I said applies. (I just noticed
that you said 86 model year, so it is a 2.1!)
Al Brase

steve vitale wrote:

>I've been learning as much as I can about my project van, an 86 vanagon GL
>with about 150k miles and decided that now is the time to go to the list.
>
>first off the idling problem:
>When I first start up it idles real rough, blows out lots of soot and if I'm
>not right on it, it'll often stall.  I can usually smell the unburnt gas in
>the exhaust.
>After it's warmed up it runs really nice as long as i'm at about 1500rpm or
>higher, if it gets below that (which it seems to do after about 30 seconds
>at a stop light) it'll idle rough, surge and usually stall if I don't put it
>in Neutral (where it seems to idle a bit higher and generally does fine.)
>The compression numbers are 120,120,140,140 ( left cylinders are both 120,
>right are both 140.)  I'm also getting only about 10-14 miles to a gallon.
>I've replaced the O2 sensor the rough idle improved a bit but it's still
>pretty bad.
>When i checked the timing the rough idle made the timing mark jump back and
>forth a bit.  I've seen the term "idle hunting".. which is exactly what it
>seems to be doing, so I'm wondering about fuel mixtures being right and some
>fauly 80's era electronic fuel injection component decomposing, wondering if
>i should do a  full leak down test and lying awake at night with thoughts of
>just pulling the engine out taking the heads off especially because I have
>to deal with the second problem:
>
>Leak around the oil pump:
>It hemmoraging oil right now around the oil pump.  I'm putting in about a
>quart a week.   I know it's an easy fix if you can get there but it seems to
>be a really difficult job to do with the engine in the car.   I'm sure the
>pump isn't bad, it's probably just the oil pump cover gasket, but.... I
>appeal list for guidance.
>Thanks a bunch
>Steve
>
>
>