Triangle of Death, or something worse?

[Dauner]

Have engine dropped on my 1989 3.2 to replace timing chains and address oil leaks. Three questions:

1. Do the following pictures indicate Triangle of Death? It seems like so much oil and debris on top of the tranny. How does oil get there?
2. Receipts from previous owner show most seals replaced 25K miles ago during clutch replacement: Triangle, Oil cooler, RMS. Is it possible the engine would have problems after 4 years and so few miles?
3. How do I clean this up without having all of that garbage fall on to clutch and down in to case?

I can take lots more pictures if any specific requests.

Thank you in advance.

[DRACO A5OG]

Sure does look like it to me.

Just make sure that breather hose is installed correctly, note the position of the clamp before removal and make certain it put back in the same position. the fitment has a notch and if the clamp sits on it it will leak.

Torque everything to spec, do not over torque especially the idiot oil light switch, the crush washer once over it's torque spec will leak.

Jim

On my 915 trans my T/O guide tube seal leaked after install it made a similar mess but it would dump alot not weap.

[kidrock]

+1 with Jim. Make sure the hose attached to the crankcase breather is not dried up and cracked. If so, cut the hose back and re-attach. The oil light switch is notorious for leaking where the metal meets the plastic....I've read somewhere that some people use some type of sealer at that point?

[CCM911]

Pop that trans off and clean it up. Check the clutch disc as well. You will want to do everything possible while the engine is out.

And thanks for the photo. My engine is out and I have the same leak pattern, so it looks like we'll be doing similar repairs.

For the trans, get some original GUNK. I used two cans and my trans now looks new.

[Tigerrat]

Yes, I'd say breather hose. It hardens w/ age and when you tighten the clamp you think you are tightening it against the fitting but not so. I'd replace it. Ken

[dshepp806]

Guys, which "breather hose" are you referencing? Crankcase vent?

Doyle

[wildcat077]

Dauner,

I noticed a crack right below the clamp on your breather hose ... ask me how i know about those ???
I got black flagged last Summer because my hose had a crack that went past the clamp and my car was spewing a smoke cloud like in a James Bond movie ... lol

Cut three inches off the end,you still have plenty left !
Replace the breather gasket and oil thermostat "O" Ring while you're there as well as a new pressure switch !

Cheers !
Phil

[DRACO A5OG]

Yes, Doyle, it is the hose above with the noted crack, I tried to re-cut it to get a fresh area to clamp on but no go, ended up replacing the hose, no more issues.

Jim

[wildcat077]

Jim,

The worse part about those hoses is that the crack is usually only visible
from the backside where there is no access to see it anyways ... lol

I was lucky,i cut three inches off and it did the trick,although the hose was still pretty hard and dry,next time it will be a replacement !

Cheers !
Phil

[jrolstin]

I just went through the triangle of death on mine... along with a lot of other leak repairs... see my thread for details!

Jonathon's '82 911 SC Thread

[88911coupe]

I just realized there are TWO small nylon "buttons" on the connector for the breather hose. When I rebuilt my engine several years ago I didn't put the other one back. I have the engine out and want to replace those...can you just buy the little plugs/buttons? Does anyone have a parts # or diagram?