Loose Oil Return Tube

[GeorgeM]

I got the James Bond smoke screen effect yesterday, except the smoke came from the heater vents not 5 seconds after pulling the red lever. I had to open the windows and sunroof in the 25 F weather so as not to suffocate.

The car had been sitting for a few weeks and I didn't bother to look underneath at my cardboard box oil drip catcher before driving away. I knew I had a small leak which I though it was from the right side valve cover, but it appears to have been the right aft oil tube. I could actually spin it. It's one of the original, one piece types.

Anybody ever have them get that loose?

Fortunately, the airport dealership had plenty in stock at € 30 per kit. That's about $38... not bad for Germany.

[Joeaksa]

Had the same thing happen and funny, it was at Stuttgart airport years ago! Was out flying for a week and returned to find some kitty litter underneath the engine and a note on the windshield.

Seems that while sitting one of the oil return tube seals had let go and drained about a qt of oil on the ground, so the airport firemen did the "haz mat" thing on it.

Drove to Max Moritz in the areas and got a new collapsable tube, stuck it in and no problems for years afterwards!

JoeA

[Hurricane]

I actually just had this problem recently with my SC. I was actually on vacation for a few days at Garmish and when I returned to my house I found a nice puddle of oil under the car. Prior to this I had no unusual oil leaks. I suspect it has to do with the metal retracting in the cold, but that is just a guess. I have since replaced all of the original oil return tubes with the expandable type and have not had a problem since.

[Oh Haha]

Are the collapsable tubes as easy to install as they look?
I have been trying to find an oil leak as well.
Wayne

[Wil Ferch]

Easy?.....

Is "anything" on a 911 done easily...?

The driver's side is usually a bear due to the heat exhanger interference. look at the archives, there are a "lot" of good suggestions. My contribution?....use A/C "gaiter" springs ( rolled coil springs as used in some A/C installs) instead of circlips..much easier. See Pelican Tech articles where I found this trick.

Wil

[GeorgeM]

Just got backfrom a "long" lunch at the auto hobby shop where I replaced both passenger side tubes.

It took me about and hour and half for both.

I found it VERY important to lube the heck out of those things so they slide open as easily as possible. I used Sil-Glide and fresh Mobil 1. The hose clamp trick worked well, but obviously, only for the case side. I had to use channel lock pliers to hold the head sides so they wouldn't pop out. I was afraid I'd crush the tube, but they're stronger than they look, especially close to the ends.

Agreed, the circlip thing is not good. By the time you stretch it onto the tube and slide it into the groove, it's overstretched and, although I'm sure it'll hold, it just dangles there loosely in the groove.

I'd set the PIA factor at 6.5 out of 10.

[Oh Haha]

Cool.
Thanks George.
Cheap oil leak cure, I like it.
I don't know how old mine are, so I will jusr replace and be done with them.
Wayne