Oil leaking from timing case

[gfish]

HI all,

Just had a pre-purchase inspection done and a few things were picked up. The biggest one was that oil was weeping from the timing belt case. The mechanic said he wiped it and it was Diesel oil. He said it is not uncommmon! (his exclamation mark) and that if he was to guess, maybe they lived on a dirt road and dust got it there.

Anyone had any experience with this?

Its a GTD, MY12. Maybe it won;t be an issue but hoping it doesn't signal big expenses in the future...

[gldgti]

That appears to make very little sense. The comment regarding a dirt road is alarming, I have no idea how anyone could make a link between an (apparrent) fuel leak from near the timing belt end of the engine and dust.

My primary advise would be to get a second appraisal.

[Snail Style]

Ummmm there is no front timing case on a GTD.... They have a front main plate/seal which bolts to the block and oil sump. Never seen any 2.0tdi leak from that location and I don't see how dirt roads are going to cause an issue to that seal at all...

Get a second opinion or just a new mechanic.

[The One]

Is this the same clown that told you that GTD's have excessive turbo failures at low kms as listed in this thread: Service guy says turbo on GTD's fail at low K's... true?

#timetoditchthisguy #evenamechanic?

[gfish]

Different guy! I avoided the turbo problem guy because he was twice the cost of others, besides giving that suspect turbo advice.

I got most of this information via one telephone convo with him ('m overseas, wife and father in law dealing with everything). Wasn't the best reception either.. very frustrating.

Below is an image of what the latest mechanic wrote in the report. He said he has never(or rarely) seen this type of leak and gave the area a wipe with a rag to try and detect what the leaking substance was, in his words, "diesel oil". He then said the leak wasn't a major issue and can wait to be dealt with until 120,000 service. Car has done just over 50K.

He also flagged a few other things that were wrong, which the dealer said that they would fix (car hasn't had Roadworthy done yet). He said the car would be worth what we are paying, which made me feel good and besides some slight cosmetic damage, it drives great, No errors came up on the computer (VAGCOM?).

The dirt comment was just him trying to find a reason for why the gasket/seal (I said gasket, he didn't disagree) for how oil was leaking, "maybe they did a lot of driving on dirt roads and dirt crept in there". It didn't make a lot of sense to me either.

The place he worked for came highly recommended on this (& other VW) forums and they know their VW's, if their name is any indication.


He also said the windscreen wouldn't pass roadworthy. Dealer said if it doesn't, it will need to be replaced.

[gldgti]

The thing is, if it really is a fuel leak, its pretty irresponsible to say it'll be right for the next 70,000km.

If its just engine oil, it could have got there any number of ways - even just servicing spillage during the fill!

Everything else on that list looks like normal wear and tear... though rear shocks leaking at such low km might indicate rough road driving, a lack of mehcanical sympathy on the part of the previous owners, or something similar.

[gfish]

The thing is, if it really is a fuel leak, its pretty irresponsible to say it'll be right for the next 70,000km.

If its just engine oil, it could have got there any number of ways - even just servicing spillage during the fill!

Thanks for the reply.
Your post got me a little worried as it'll be my wife's (& newborns) main form of transport. I just did a quick Google and there were some MK6 TDI recalls due to fuel leaks/risk of fire.

The mechanic definitely said it was "diesel oil" (I assume this means fuel, not engine oil).

Dealer said it would be fixed but I have lost a little trust...
Bit concerned now as I'm still overseas and poor wife has to deal with all of this.

Thanks again guys. Awesme help, very much appreciated. Just became subscriber to vwwatercooled right now.

Maybe I should get another inspection after 'fix'?

[Umai Naa!!]

I would probably refer it on to a reputable VW specialist for a third opinion.

[Snail Style]

Pretty sure GTD's don't have battery covers either.
Coolant flush wouldn't be needed unless it has something other than G12/g13+ (something other than pink) in it.
Shockers aren't common but are likely if the owner was on gravel/dirt roads giving them a good workout often(dirt road can be an excuse there ).
The guy meant an oil leak when he described diesel oil, diesel oil is very dark and stains badly. However I'd still be having a closer look at the leak.
Windscreens are very hard to be unroadworthy now in Victoria, scratches have to be quite big and in the driver's wiper arc. Chips have to be over a certain size and in the driver's arc or through both sheets. But most dealers will fit a new screen anyway.

[gldgti]

Thanks for the reply.
Your post got me a little worried as it'll be my wife's (& newborns) main form of transport. I just did a quick Google and there were some MK6 TDI recalls due to fuel leaks/risk of fire.

The mechanic definitely said it was "diesel oil" (I assume this means fuel, not engine oil).

Dealer said it would be fixed but I have lost a little trust...
Bit concerned now as I'm still overseas and poor wife has to deal with all of this.

Thanks again guys. Awesme help, very much appreciated. Just became subscriber to vwwatercooled right now.

Maybe I should get another inspection after 'fix'?

Don't be too alarmed by it - a diesel fuel leak is not a high risk like a petrol leak, but on principle alone you just wouldn't leave it be (if that is actually what it is).

If its not a budget blowout, get a different opinion as others have recommended.

regarding the battery cover - ALL golfs and golf platform cars from the mk5 onward have had them.