Help with random O Ring ID

Hi all,
I'm finally reassembling by 300tdi engine but have stumbled across a stretchy metal O ring that I don't recall removing and cannot work out where it's supposed to go!

Does anyone know A. What this is! & B. Where it goes??






Thank you,

Chris

Oil seal spring

fanatic said:

Oil seal spring

Click to expand...

Ah, balls! I've sealed the rear cover and torqued up all the bolts. Time for some more disassembly

But thanks!

The actual shaft that the oil seal fits on will be very slightly smaller diameter than the garter spring (cant tell its size from the picture), so that may give you a clue as to where it came from. Also rub the spring on a bit of white kitchen towel, if it leaves a black oily deposit then it is from an old/used seal and might be from when you stripped the engine - hopefully!

There appear to be oily deposits at the top of the lower picture, which would indicate that it is an old oil seal spring.

The new ones tend to be a shiny, silvery colour

I bought some seals for our old Series II once and discovered there was an extra spring in one of the packets, so it might be just a spare.

It's worth unscrewing a few things and checking that the seals which need springs on have got them in situ. Much easier now than at some future date lying on your back under the car trying to work out where the oil leak is coming from.

Thanks all. Turns out it was an old one, which must have fallen out during the strip down! The new one is indeed shiny and silver.

Aren't you relieved?