@ Storm
Thats quite a good description of the procedure. But I think you forgot to mention that the Crankshaft pulley and its small bottom shield has to come off before the oil pump cover plate is accessed fully. Otherwise it would be a wrestling match to get to the upper two nuts and then try to pry up the cover plate without bending the pulley shield.
In order to remove the crankshaft pulley PROPERLY (ie without bending it) one should have a proper pulley puller.
For a simple clean up, I dont believe you have to take the pump out. The gear can be taken off and cleaned simply.
The oil pressure relief valve's cover is found at the bottom of the engine. It would look like a large screw head. There is one such valve in earlier engines and two in later. MAQ's bugs engine should have one, if its of 69 vintage like the bug was.
@ MAQ:
I honestly think you have been just given bad advice. Why in the world are yu suspecting the oil pump to be clogged up???
A few facts to make you rethink:
-
A choked oil pump and/or oil passages in the crankcase and/or oil cooler and/or oil pressure relief valve/s would manifest as follows:
---Low engine oil pressure. Evident by an oil pressure light which does not go off on starting the engine. Of course you have to be sure the switch for the light is not faulty.
---Overheating engine. Oil is the life of any engine but more important to the VW aircooled engines as it helps to both lubricate and cool. A poor engine oil circulation would definitely cause an overheating issue.
---Clues to choked oil pump/passages/oil cooler may be found if:
--Engine was very badly maintained.
--Engine oil on draining contained a lot of foreign matter.
--Engine was being run with the oil cap missing (Ive seen that happen) etc etc.
So now coming back to the problem MAQ is facing. He had pmailed me on this.
Issue: Engine does not have the power it should have.
A more reasonable approach to tackle this situation is:
Assess whether the engine has life or is it worn out, ready for an overhaul:
Heres a BASIC outline:
---Gives white smoke......keep in mind that VW engines seldom smoke like conventional engines so even if the engine does not smoke it still might be worn.
---Pull off the hose going from the engine oil filler cap area to the air cleaner. Does it give smoke when the engine is running?? A smokey crank case ventilation pipe signifies worn rings.
---With the engine switched OFF and dead cold try to pull and push the bottom crankshaft pulley. Any to and fro play means the main and big end bearings are worn. So the rings might be worn too.Time for a rebuild.
---See the condition of the engine oil. Would give obvious clues to whats happening inside. Badly maintained oil equals badly maintained engine equals bad internals.
Lets see....have I forgotten anything???
What should be done:
By now you should have assessed that your engine doesnt need an overhaul soon (in which case you will have to decide wheter to take the plunge or if you want to make matters simpler go for a engine swap).
Now go for a complete tune up and oil change. This should hopefully get your engine running far better than it is now.
A helpful thread for you for the tuneup:
https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!61099~ForumID!34~pw.html
Hopefully Ill come up with a pictorial step by step DIY for all to follow if they like.
Questions??? Ask please!!
Best regards.