oil light flashing and buzzing, car leaking oil

[Dibz]

Had a nasty surprise last night, the oil light can on around 4 miles from home, as it was super late I carried on with the thought that i need to top up the oil asap, but an intermittent  buzz from the dash and by being greeted by drops of oil on the floor when I parked up, it would seem that its something more than low oil levels!
been searching the forum and have seen the horror stories but I hope its ok, just.
have had a look today and there's a load of oil around the lower front of the engine and it would appear that I'm leaking oil from around the oil filter where it joins with the oil cooler. took a walk in the snow and have bought a new filter and 5 liters of 10w-40, hoping this will cure it as I need the car back on the road Monday.
would It be worth my while checking the oil cooler o-ring seals as it could be these that are causing the leak?

[danny_p]

sounds like o ring has perished or blown out, fix it now or when it goes compltly there will be a proper big mess

[beechymonza]

Yeah this appened 2 me, So got new o ring from VW, It solved the problem but then i was gettin oil into my water system, Makin header tank look like cream, So had 2 rob an oil cooler off a mk3 gti in scrappy an it sorted it out, 

[Dibz]

Sound like it could be an easy repair thou the fact its all icy thanks to the snow I'm not looking forward to doing it, would seem my mk2 likes to go wrong at the most inconvenient times!
So to sort the o-ring, am I right in thinking the oil cooler has to come off meaning ive got to drain the coolant? looks like a trip to halfords for an o-ring (and some anti-freeze!) once I know what size unless I try some "instant gasket" silicone sealer that I've got in the toolbox?

[danny_p]

intant gasket wont hold, and you dont have to drain coolant if your lucky

[Dibz]

does ANYONE know what size o-ring I will need (I'll be trying euro car parts on Monday) and would it be worth my time replacing the oil cooler with a good second hand or new one? I don't think its leaking as the coolant dint seem to be oily but for piece of mind its worth changing or at least taking it off and giving it a good look over for leaks or damage.

[rubjonny]

euro should have the seal you need, gsf also do it. cant remember 100% sure but I think the new cooler I got from GSF had a new seal included?

[Dibz]

I've got a new oil cooler but am having a bit of a mare getting hold of this oil cooler seal, Ive got the part number for it (038117070A) but both euro and GSF what to either sell in bulk or charge the best part of 8 quid for carriage on a seal that they sell for £2!!!!!  i don't know why they cant just pop the thing in the normal post?
I'm going to try the local vw main dealer, as im sure the same cooler and seal set up is used on loads of motors in the Vag range.