Chain Housing Covers HELP!

3.2 CAB · 01:54 PM

I am also asking this on the 911 forum. How are you supposed to remove the right side chain cover on a 1984 3.2, it seems the front oil cooler line is in the way? Is there enough play in the line to squeeze the cover off, or do you have to remove the line? Wayne's book, nor Bentleys mentions this oil line. The reason I am asking, I am trying to inspect my tensioners because, a couple of days ago, when I was getting ready to pull off from my mail box, I heard a noise like a chain being drug over the rim of a metal can. It is not really noticable at low idle, but if the engine speed is increased, the noise starts. I listened with a stethoscope, it is in the right side, left side just whirrs away. I have already removed everything out of the way to get the covers off, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the right cover off

with that oil tube in the way.
The engine is still running fine, no smoke, no other odd noises. I parked it in the garage, when this happened.
Also, if you replace one side tensioner, should you replace the other side? Being they both have the same age and wear on them? 60,000 miles. Thanks.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 09-03-2004, 02:26 PM

You will need to remove the line. It has three ends to it. Be sure to use one wrench to hold othe fitting closest to the motor and another wrench to turn the "nut" on the line. This will help keep you from damaging the lines. Inspect the lines before you reattach to ensure they are in good shape, no cracking or anything. I used some teflon tape on the threads when I put mine back on to help aid in sealing. Be sure that you do not cover up any holes in the bolts.

3.2 CAB · 09-03-2004, 03:38 PM

Hi David, I think we might be talking about different oil lines. The line I am talking about is the one that is about 1" around, it runs from the engine mounted oil cooler under the engine around the front of the right side chain cover a couple of inches or so from the bottom of the cover, it even has a little mounting braket that holds it to the cover. It then follows the right rear inner fender well and then under the right side rocker panel to the front oil cooler. I took the little bracket off, but it only moves about 1/4" away from the face of the cover, not enough to get the cover off far enough to clear the studs in the chain housing. I am still trying to figure how to get it out of the way.

3.2 CAB · 09-04-2004, 10:44 AM

Anyone?

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 3.2 CAB
Hi David, I think we might be talking about different oil lines. The line I am talking about is the one that is about 1" around, it runs from the engine mounted oil cooler under the engine around the front of the right side chain cover a couple of inches or so from the bottom of the cover, it even has a little mounting braket that holds it to the cover. It then follows the right rear inner fender well and then under the right side rocker panel to the front oil cooler. I took the little bracket off, but it only moves about 1/4" away from the face of the cover, not enough to get the cover off far enough to clear the studs in the chain housing. I am still trying to figure how to get it out of the way.

Your description is a bit off. The only hose that connects to the oil cooler is a rubber S-hose (page 28 photo #3). No oil lines go from the engine to the front mounted oil cooler - they all go to the thermostat first (unless someone put something else in your car). When you say the front of the chain cover, I'm guessing you mean the rear of the engine?

Either way, look at page 27 of 101 Projects, photo #2. The line runs underneath the chain housing cover, and should be able to be removed without removing the oil line. However, they did change the line in 1984, and I can't recall off the top of my head whether the new one gets in the way. Either way, it sounds like you simply need to remove that oil line...

-Wayne

garibaldi · 09-04-2004, 03:41 PM

You wanna faint? if your tensioner took a dump on you, take your oil filter and cut it open and look for any metal particles in the valley of the pleats. The metal grinding noise is most likely the chain dragging on the case, and making ground up bits, which is now through the whole oil system.

john walker's workshop · 09-04-2004, 09:48 PM

that oil line can be lightly pried down enough to get the cover off. it has a tab that hangs on the lower stud, so pop that off.

Eagledriver · 09-04-2004, 10:57 PM

I wouldn't be too quick to assume there are metal chips from the chain dragging. Even if there are the big chips will be caught by the screen and the small ones will be caught by the filter. The only damage would be to the scavange side of the pump and there would need to be lots of chips to do significant damage.

If you find a collapsed tensioner it would be a good idea to check the sump screen and change the oil.

-Andy

3.2 CAB · 09-05-2004, 03:42 AM

Apparently, when they redesigned this oil tube in 84, they put a little bend upwards in it to clear the heat exchange crossover tube. This line screws directly into the bottom of the engine and attaches to a big hose that goes forward to the front, this is all factory stuff, no alterations. I think that when I loosen the line from the big rubber hose fitting, it should give me enough room to get the cover off.
Wayne, mine is different that what is in photo #2. The pic in the book shows the line straight and below the cover, mine has a little bend about 6-8 inches from the end that raises it higher than what is pictured. The other end screws into the engine. I will try to get a picture of it. If you look in the Bentley book on page 152-7 you will see what I am talking about. Thanks for the input, I will attack it later.