how to make a small leak bigger

sergeshishik · sergeshishik's Garage

For a few weeks now I had been wondering the cause of a very small oil leak under my 84 Targa. After much deliberating on the challenges of replacing the oil return tubes I tried to wiggle one of them. I was surprised on how much play was in the tube, so I proceeded to wiggle and twist all the tubes. I thought i may have been lubricating the o rings? Well i successfully succeeded in making all my oil tubes leak and made my penny size drop of oil look like Kuwait.

Moral of the story if you have a leak you can't determine wiggle an oil tube.

Any last minute tips on oil return tube replacement appreciated.

I did have an idea to take a sawzall and cut the middle out of the tubes and then pull them out easily? That seems easier then crushing and pulling.

Happy trails

jhelgesen · 01-27-2006, 12:34 PM

A pair or two of channel locks will crush them and they will pull right out. The expandable replacement tubes work well.

bkreigsr · 01-27-2006, 12:42 PM

sawzall scares me with all those metal filings floating around the oil system, especially downstream of the filter
bill k

sergeshishik · sergeshishik's Garage

I see Pelican has two brands of replacement tubes Laso and Domestic Aftermarkets there is a price difference. Anyone have any thoughts.

John thanks for th tip

vash · vash's Garage

no sawsall. with a pair of pliers, they will resist like a beer can in your fist. "out" is about 100x easier than "in"

sergeshishik · sergeshishik's Garage

GOOD POINTS on the sawzall, I am sure glad I asked.

sammyg2 · 01-27-2006, 01:19 PM

Dow corning 111 silicone grease is your friend, it will make it sooooo much easier. You "might" be able to do it with oil or regular grease on the o-rings, or you may invent new curse words trying.
I put mine in with 111 grease and did it by hand. If yours are a little more stubborn, try putting hose clamps on the tubes so you can have something to push against when trying to expand them.

I can't offer any advice on the two different types.

sergeshishik · sergeshishik's Garage

Is the Dow corning 11 grease available at autosupply stores?

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Stupid questions coming, sorry.

What "locks" the tubes in their respective holes once expanded? The idea of a cheap hose clamp to get a bite on the tube while expanding them sounds great. Is the Dow Corning 111 grease available at my local Pep Boys, Kragen, NAPA, etc?

Brad01mc · 01-27-2006, 02:42 PM

Hi!

On my tubes, there is a cir-clip that locks in a channel "cut"/"notched" into the tube.

Like this...

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_oil_return_tube/911_oil_return_tube_pic7_big.JPG

Brad

Hugh R · 01-27-2006, 02:48 PM

Any o-ring silicon grease will be fine. I used the stuff I had laying around for my pool pumps. The tubes should be lubed so they slide in and out with two fingers before you crawl under the car. I had to remove my drivers side heat exchanger to get one tube in on my 84.

DW SD · 01-27-2006, 02:57 PM

Use SylGlide over at Napa. If not the same, it is similar. I used that on the o-rings and it worked like a charm. Couldn't believe how POORLY oil lubricant worked. So much so that I did come up with new swear words (as Sammy suggested).

Also, the trick with using the hose clamps to pry them into place worked well for me. You can do a search for tricks.

Doug

Ned nyna 11 · 01-27-2006, 03:07 PM

Serge,
Hop over to Rennlist and under 911 tech articles, you will find a particularly fine and well written instruction on how to replace the tubes.
It's written by

Nine9six · Nine9six's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by vash
no sawsall. with a pair of pliers, they will resist like a beer can in your fist. "out" is about 100x easier than "in"

Cliff,
Is that experience speaking?

Wil Ferch · 01-27-2006, 05:52 PM

Some reports say use A/C "gaiter" springs in lieu of circlips to make life easier...sounds like a great idea....

Wil

sergeshishik · sergeshishik's Garage

This was easy! it took all of 2 minutes. I guess now the fun begins? Good thing the parts aren't coming till Monday. Guess the wife will be pleased.

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

Find the Dow Corning 111 that Sam recommends. Trust me on this one. He knows of what he speaks. Otherwise you will invent new curse words. Ask any of us who have done this how we know.

sergeshishik · sergeshishik's Garage

tuff going on the install of the tubes. I fought one so far and only half won. I got the tubes in but the clip isn't going to happen. Anyone know where to get the gaiter clip?