75 VW mechanic needed

[Mypursuit]

I've got an engine oil leak. My regular mechanic is now retired and the guy he turned his shop over too now tells me I need a new motor. I need a second opinion and they'll get the work since the "new" guy took $1000 bucks from me a year ago! So any VW mechanics, westside of PDX to Tillamook would be great.

[Pickles]

If the oil leak is coming from the rear main shaft, there is a very good possibility that you do indeed need a new engine. The case may be worn out! If you want a second opinion, all the reputable VW mechanics I know are in SE Portland. (Trafton and Meyers) and (A and P specialties).

[Lemon Head]

I second the motion for Trafton Auto service!!! They are VW only!! About 156th and SE Stark. They are honest as the day is long. Call and ask for Bill (Trafton), ask him your question about your motor. His crew is very knowledgable too. LH

[Bootstrap Bill]

What kind of VW are we talking about? Bug, Bus, squareback. If so
VW's are notorious for oil leaks. It could be as simple as a pushrod tube or oil cooler. Where is the leak coming from?

[ORrinker]

Go to D&M Automotive in Beaverton. The specialize in all VW's I am in a VW club that has both Watercooled and Aircooled cars and anyone in my club would most definitely recommend them. I just had a new engine built and installed by them and I am completely happy with their work. Ask for Dave. BTW, let me know if you might be interested in joining a VW club and I will send you some info. The nice part about being in a club is the shop days where you can get other members to help you with your car problems. Good luck.

Randy

[Fish'nDude]

M&M auto in Aloha, good work at a fair price. VW's only.
Nick Ellis owner (503) 642-1622.

[Bloom]

An oil leak by itself is no reason whatsoever to consider replacing the engine or rebuilding it, unless there are compelling reasons to do so, such as worn bearings, rings, clankety-clankety sounds that are louder than your radio. The most likely causes of leaks on the air-cooled models are rear main seal (engine removal required), push-rod tubes(no removal required, but easier if it is) and the oil cooler which sits inside the cooling shroud(engine removal not required) It could be, but not likely, a crack adjacent to the pressure ports under the oil cooler.

If the compression is good, does not smoke, is relatively quiet and there is little cankshaft end-play, I doubt that you need an over-haul or replacement.

[Paddlefish]

I'll eagerly second the recommendation of D & M in Beaverton!

I can't tell you the number of times that they did things for free over the years: (quickly replacing my wife's brake light in their driveway because they noticed that it was't working when she started to leave, or promising to stop by my house on the way home -- at 6:00 PM on New Years Eve -- if his over-the-phone advice didn't get me back on the road (it did), or, when I had a particularly vexing electrical dilemma, asking me to leave the bus for couple of days so that he (Dave) could work on it during his spare moments and wouldn't have to charge me the hourly shop rate.

Dang, I miss those guys! It's just that I've been in a Volkswagen-free zone recently.

I've even been toying with the idea or re-upping to a '78 bus again so that I could go back to dealing with them.

Oh, and I'm a past expert in the push rod tube oil leaks. There was one winter when I think you could have tracked me around town by following the rainbows on the wet streets.

[Mypursuit]

Thanks. On it's way to D&M tomorrow morning. Then we'll see. Hate to part with it. It's a '75 convertible bug. "Karmann". Thanks for all the help

[Fish Killer]

You could also check out a place in Beaver, OR. He works on old VW's and his business is called Beaver Creek Bobs.

[Bootstrap Bill]

Try Mark's VW service in Amity, OR
(503) 835-2682

[ORrinker]

When you are at D&M ask to talk to Todd if you are interested in joining the Rose City Volksters. We would love to have you. Our website is www.rosecityvolksters.com I hope it is okay posting a link in here. I am slammed67 on that site.

Good luck,
Randy