Sand Seal Reference for VW Type 1 Engines

by R Taylor July 26, 2022

Sand Seal Reference for VW Type 1 Engines

If you have oil leaking out of your lower pulley on an air cooled engine, make sure your breather tubes and hoses aren't clogged or kinked. This is the most common cause of oil leaks at the pulley.

How do I know which sand seal to use on my engine?

Some Bugs and off road buggies use a sand seal on the lower pulley to help prevent debris and sand from entering the engine case. This reference shows the different measurements of sand seals. The seals shown here are not cross compatible, so measure!

Tech note: Sand seal pulleys will have a completely smooth snout. Stock lower pulleys on the air cooled Beetle engine has a threaded groove.

Scat 80173 Sand Seal - Press In / Collar Style

The Scat 80173 is the replacement seal used on all Scat and MST brand pulleys. This seal is often used with a press-in collar, such as the Scat 80172 combo.

59.3mm Outer Diameter

47.0mm Inner Diameter - the pulley snout outer diameter

5.0mm Thick

Empi 0086940 Sand Seal - Press In / Collar Style

The Empi 8694 is the replacement seal for all Empi press in style sand seal pulleys. This seal is for Empi's press-in collar, and only works on Empi brand press-in style seals and pulleys.

57.3mm Outer Diameter

45mm Inner Diameter - the pulley snout diameter

5.0mm Thick

Empi 0091120 Sand Seal - Machine In

The Empi 9112 is the replacement seal for all Empi machine in style sand seal pulleys. This seal is for engine cases that are machined for a sand seal of this size.