Not another oil return tube thread!

[kilodawg]

I've done my searching so this isn't about technique.

Just two things specifically.

1. I've seen this question asked but never really answered. Do you need to drain the oil from the tank too or just from the sump for a neater cleaner installation.

2. The only tubes leaking are the drivers side ones. They all have replacement tubes already so the question is do you just change the leakers or do you do all four. My car is far from a daily driver (maybe 2-3K miles/year) and the next planned oil change will be in a little less than a year if that affects the answer.

Thanks!

[bell]

what i've learned is only change the ones that are leaking, being they are on the driver side you can just jack up so the driverside is up in the air, the tilt should keep all the oil on the pass side so you may not even have to drain any, worse case just the sump.

chances are when the drivers side tubes were installed the o-ring was damaged in the process, this can happen easily if you have stock he's due to the limited space to get everything to seat well.

[jbrand540]

I believe that its recommended to change them in pairs by the side thats leaking, but since both of yours are leaking you would be doing this anyway.

I ignored this recommendation and just did the one, a week later the other started leaking.

[3.2 CAB]

From what you are asking, I would say to at least do both of them on the same side. Being your engine already has the replacement type tubes, go ahead and get enough of the green o-rings, to replace all. True, you might only need 1 on 1 side done right now, but chances are the other tube on the same side, might start leaking. I think the green o-rings cost about $0.75 ea, just go ahead and get enough to do all of them when the need arises. Back to your other question, others may want to try to change them out without draining the oil in a clean catch pan, but I prefer to drain, make the swap, then put the oil back in. Very clean, no mess. Good luck!! Tony.

[kilodawg]

Hey Tony you bring up an interesting point....I know that my current tubes are replacements. They each have the circlips. Does that mean they can be collapsed enough to remove them, clean them up and just replace the seals????

And for draining the oil do you drain the sump and tank or just sump? I'm assuming just sump but people haven't been all that specific. Not being an expert on this stuff I don't know if things are at work here that would draw the oil out of the tank......

[Eagledriver]

Just the sump needs to be drained. However, you should run the motor within an hour or so before doing this job so most of the oil is pumped into the tank. The tank tends to drain into the engine on most cars. Also if you leave the tubes out for an extended period you may start to have more oil come out as it drains from the tank. You only need to replace the O-rings on the old tubes. (there are several 0-rings inside the telescopic part)

-Andy

[88911coupe]

Does our host sell the replacement rings? I'm not sure how to search for that...just looking for O rings would get a lot of returns. Are they a fairly common item at a auto parts store or a/c service shop? I have the green seals in the ones I removed and they were not leaking a DROP but I guess I should at least replace the orings but I see no need to replace the steel tubes.

[3.2 CAB]

To all about the oil return tubes. YES, the 2 piece type tubes are collapsible once you slide the snap-rings out of the groove. Then you can slide them together to remove them and replace the green o-rings. The steel collapsible tubes are OEM, the alloy ones are after market. You can probably get the new o-rings here, or at a local Porsche dealer. Hopefully, this link will show you what you need. Good luck!! Tony.






http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/PartsLookup/search.cgi?command=show_page&Catalog_Name=911_USA_87_89_KATALOG&Illustration=101-05&Line_Item=13

[kilodawg]

Hi guys thanks for all the replies to a relatively common topic.

I thought that a got a brain flash in possibly just getting new seals and replacing those. Then I did some additional searching and found that there were, over the years, multiple manufacturers of these tubes each using different O-rings. I went and checked mine and they just didn't look like the Laso ones that Pelican sells. So rather than get stuck in the middle of this task I just decided to get new ones.

Then since my leakers are on the drivers side I figured I'd get a set of four and do them all. Tackling the drivers side front last and getting practice on the passenger side ones. I also picked up a few extra O-rings just in case. So my Saturday is already planned out for me. All I need now is to track down some Dow Corning 111 but since I live in Florida, the land of pools, that shouldn't be a problem.

[dede911]

Hi,

I replaced my tubes last sunday.

Don't drain the oil. Start the engine for a few minutes, so that all oil is in the tank. Jack up the side you are working on, so that if oil is draining to the sump, it will not drip out of the sump.
Before doing the other side, start again the engine, and repeat the process.

Grease the O-rings very well before installing the tubes so that they will pop nice in the case/heads.

Have fun

André