• TomB
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  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,095

Topic: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Darby and I (probably others) have been grumbling about the available paper oil strainer gaskets. We used to be able to get the resin-impregnated (brown) paper type that didn't seep, but now all people carry are the thicker grey cardboard that tend to seep a bit of oil through.
I just found that aircooled.net carries a set of silicone rubber gaskets said to be lifetime (if you are careful). These should be leak-free.
I've ordered a couple sets for my cars, and will report when I try them.

  • From: Vancouver Canada
  • Registered: 2004-04-28
  • Posts: 441

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Tom, what about the genuine VW ones from Mex?  They don't leak anything.

  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-10
  • Posts: 2,336

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Tom,

Thanks for the info!  If they really are reusable, and they reduce or eliminate leaks, then the price is probably worth it.

I like the part description aircooled.net has for them:

"This is a pair of Silicone Gaskets, you'll never need to buy more again if you don't screw them up!"  <grin>

- Nick

1979 Super Beetle Convertible
  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Bruce, I've asked Antonio and maybe I should order a set to be sure but he said they are not the heavy brown units Miguel used to sell they are the normal cardboard type. Do you know different or do you get them elsewhere ?

Tom, thanks for the heads up.

-Darby
  • TomB
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  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
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Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Bruce, that's what we had been trying to get. The factory engines still come with the resin impregnated gaskets, but supposedly the gaskets supplied as replacements by VW are now the cardboard type. Doesn't make sense to me...

  • Registered: 2005-01-05
  • Posts: 30

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Couldn't you just swab some Permatex 3H on them, the kind used to seal case halves?

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

A: Yeah, but you'd never get them off without some serious scrubbing, scraping and possible case damage if and when you ever dropped the plate to clean the sump screen.......

Clancy

  • From: Vancouver Canada
  • Registered: 2004-04-28
  • Posts: 441

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Tom, the ones I got from a dealer in Mex are a black/dark grey waxy type material.  I re-use them as much as possible.  I bought a lifetime supply.
I will try to get a pic of them.  I can even send the pic to Antonio so he can compare to what is available today.

  • TomB
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  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
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Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Bruce, Thanks - sounds like the type that came in the Mexi. Since most of us don't get to Mexico often (even though I'm in Texas), getting Antonio to carry them would be good.

  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Bruce that would be great. I used all of mine & can't get a picture of whay I don't have :-)  I've taken to spraying them with hi-tack on both sides and hanging them in the cabinet (couple of sets at a time) and give them another spray when installing. Seems good so far but the "common" paper / cardboard gaskets are otherwise a pain in the ass.

-Darby
  • From: Vancouver Canada
  • Registered: 2004-04-28
  • Posts: 441

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Darby, you can reuse the original VW of Mex ones like I have.

Here's the pic:

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/371705.jpg

They are different colours on each side, and one is from another batch.  Note the other engine gaskets too.  They are from genuine VW engine gasket sets.

Last edited by Bruce (2007-08-02 23:48:59)

  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Thanks,  I'm going to send this to Antonio & see what he can do.

-Darby
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Darby: When you find out, be sure to let all of us know! Heck, you might become the "platinum level" oil sump gasket distributor for the nation. <grin!>

Clancy

  • From: Valdosta, GA
  • Registered: 2005-04-25
  • Posts: 162

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Great idea, Clancy. I replaced mine with the paper type a few months ago, and now have a nice "clean" oil stain on the driveway...

  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: Finally - leak-free oil drainplate gaskets!

Antonio just replied that what he gets from VW now are the oil change kits from Germany. That are the paper kind we are used oto seing now BUT the paper does have the German Mfgr INK STAMP on it so perhaps they are the "Old School" sintered type that are less prone to leak ?
Next time I place an order from him I'm going to get some & see. I am however going to order a set of silicone units to try.

-Darby