Back to it again, typically the weather is freezing when I do this but needs must.

Since doing my timing belt the van’s oil leak has got much worse so as I said in the previous post the oil pump need changing so back out into the cold to get this done.

Starting with removing the timing belt again(see previous post), I can now get to the oil pump.

To get this off is a bit of a fiddle because the sump has to come off and because it’s German engineering, it’s much more complicated than it should be!

Before you start this job you will need a good seat of Allen key tools, long reach and ball headed. Getting to some sump bolts you have to do before the timing belt comes off so the engine can be turned over and gaps in the flywheel can be utilised. I haven’t got photos of this process but take it from me, they hide these bolts very well!

The sump is a cast item so be gentle with it, drain the oil ( new sump plug comes in handy because mine was trashed) and work your way around removing most of the bolts and loosening the few that you leave in to support the sump until your ready to drop it.

If the sump is not loose when your done then you’ve missed a hidden bolt so try again. Until the sump is loose don’t remove the timing gear!

Mine eventually came off but some of the bolts are very tricky to get to and required many different types of Allen key tools to get on them, including extractors because they round off very easily if not careful.

Sump off

Now take off the timing gear. Then undo the oil pump pickup tube.

Now it’s very straightforward to remove the few bolts left holding on the oil pump.

Time for a good clean up, lots of clean rags and I was recommended using brake cleaning spray but didn’t get around to buying some so persevered with what I had.

Looking at the oil pump showed the damage to the oil seal area

And a lot of wear on the drive slots

So it’s a good job I’ve changing this. New pump is easy to buy and a lot of different cars use this type so shop around for the best deals.

Fitting it is easy but you must make sure the slots line up with the drive on the crank.

Then gradually tighten the few bolts that don’t hold on the timing gear and pump at the same time.

Rebuild is easy from then on. Refit pick up tube, timing gear (see previous post) and sump. Refill is with oil and fingers crossed your oil light goes out as soon as it starts

Broke my torque wrench though so changed the ratchet with some new parts

Oil leak all fixed. The fuel timing is out so need to get a new dial test indicator to sort it properly. So that’s the next job (apart from the house and eventually back to the beetle)