Vw t4

starbarboy

Hi there

I purchased a 1998 VW T4 campervan recently which when it has been raining has shown some signs of leaking some oil or other engine fluid. I have never noticed anything resembling oil in dry weather however.

I decided to investigate further this afternoon and started off by checking the oil level which appeared to be ok. I have also placed some cardboard on the ground under the engine to see if it picked up anything. With the engine switched off I could not detect any obvious leaks however when I turned the engine on there was what looked like clear fluid leaking onto the cardboard from the front of the engine. This appeared to stop after the engine had been running for 5 minutes.

It's also worth noting that when driving the van there is a slight smell of oil or fuel but this may be related to the age of the van.

This is the first time I have posted so please bear with me but hopefully the following link will show a short clip showing the problem:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6uZR80zWrORu6yE82

I phoned my normal mechanic who's booked up for the next couple of weeks at which point I will get him to have a look at it but just wondered if any lovely person here had any suggestions as to what the problem may be?

Thanks in advance

Stephen

I

Nobbie1967

Looks like a leaking cooling system, maybe a failing water pump by the amount coming out. Check the level in the expansion tank and top up before taking it to the garage and take some water with you to top up as required.

starbarboy

Nobbie1967 wrote: »

Looks like a leaking cooling system, maybe a failing water pump by the amount coming out. Check the level in the expansion tank and top up before taking it to the garage and take some water with you to top up as required.

Thanks for the suggestion, will certainly bear it in mind. I know the previous owner had topped up the coolant before I purchased the van therefore I have been keeping an eye on the level and there has not been any noticeable drop but will continue to monitor until I get it to the garage.

Stephen

reeac

Does the vehicle have aircon? "Clear liquid" suggests condensate from that system ...perfectly normal.

Norman_Castle

starbarboy wrote: »

I know the previous owner had topped up the coolant before I purchased the van therefore I have been keeping an eye on the level and there has not been any noticeable drop

It does sound like a coolant leak through a joint which closes as the engine expands.
Check the level by rocking the van so you can see the coolant move. Older cars can have stained coolant reservoirs which look full but aren't.

It's also worth noting that when driving the van there is a slight smell of oil or fuel but this may be related to the age of the van.

Before driving it make sure its not fuel leaking . Look at and smell the cardboard. Petrol and diesel smell.

Highly likely there is a VW T4 forum which will give much better advice and will be worth joining.

starbarboy

Thanks to everyone for their time and thoughts, much appreciated.

Van doesn't have Aircon so have ruled that one out but thanks anyway for the suggestion.

Have also posted on a T4 forum where the general consensus is it's a leak in one of the fuel pipes, which fits in with the smell. Previous owner did recently have a fuel leak investigated and the return fuel pipes renewed back in July so had initially dismissed but it may well be one of the other fuel pipes have perished.

Thanks again for the responses.

Stephen