Son of a... (oil leak)

[Dixie]

Allow me to vent,

Murphy has struck. My new rear main seal is leaking. I replaced the original seal while doing the top-end on my '88 last winter. The old one was weeping, and since I was there I figured it should be attended to. Now the new one leaks worse than the original ever did. I used the OEM seal I bought from Pelican. I was careful to not install it too deep. Still, something went awry. 1,200 miles later I have a Porsche that marks the garage.

Oh well, another project...

[Rot 911]

Did you lube the rubber lip before installing it? Was there a groove on the crank from the old seal?

[Gunter]

Also, some people like to install it without Curil-T to prevent it from being pushed back out?
I think JW mentioned that one time.

[Dixie]

I lubed the lip that runs against the crank. Otherwise, I installed it dry. I don't recall seeing a groove. I wonder if it would help to use Curtil on the outside edge of the seal? Or maybe a good strategy would be to install the new seal just a touch proud of the case?

I've got a track weekend coming up (12/5, 12/6). After that I'll drop the engine and see what's up. Hopefully it's not a leaking case.

[Zeke]

A touch proud or whatever. Just not on top of where the original seal ran for so long. That's what they tell me anyway and it's worked on the 4 cyls I've built.

[Tigerrat]

Sorry to hear. Where does this leak show up externally such that you know that is the source? Ken

[john walker's workshop]

outside dry when installing. may be something else like case 1/2 seepage, which is common in that area. mainshaft seal maybe? does it smell like gear oil?

[ruf-porsche]

Are you sure it was OEM? I brought a Bosch Relay from our sponsor it it said on Bosch on the box but it also said MADE IN CHINA. Now I know for a fact that back in 82 Porsches were built with parts MADE IN GERMANY.

Not to blame our host, but companies seems to be looking at the bottom line and the bottom line is you produce your products in a country that can produce it for the cheapest cost.

[my1st911]

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

Are you sure it was OEM? I brought a Bosch Relay from our sponsor it it said on Bosch on the box but it also said MADE IN CHINA. Now I know for a fact that back in 82 Porsches were built with parts MADE IN GERMANY.

Not to blame our host, but companies seems to be looking at the bottom line and the bottom line is you produce your products in a country that can produce it for the cheapest cost.

The parts that say made in china are knock offs. Once in a while I get an ac delco part that looks questionable. They pass it off as the real thing, but they are of very low quality. The parts ive seen never say made in china. You at least got the heads up

[Bart_dood]

I bought a MAF sensor for another car from ebay a week or so ago, when I got it it looked a little odd, on examination it was a poor quality chinese copy.
It even performed badly, I don't know why everyone talks about free trade being good, all the chinese do is dump crap on our shores and laugh at us when we complain about human rights and pollution.

[mca]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

outside dry when installing. may be something else like case 1/2 seepage, which is common in that area. mainshaft seal maybe? does it smell like gear oil?

Good point about the mainshaft seal. I replaced mine and used CurilT on it - it is seeping enough to drip every few days.

It might be hard to tell if you don't sniff it. Doesn't Brad Penn look similar to Swepco?

I installed my RMS dry and it seems to be holding fine - but I only have 2400 on the rebuild.

Let us know what you find.

[surflvr911sc]

Don't feel so bad. 4.3 miles for me.

[88911coupe]

Ryan...what do you think happened in your case? This has me a little stressed since I'm about to re install my 3.2...

[haycait911]

I've taken to putting flourescent dye in the crankcase oil ( made for the purpose ). then it's easy to find leak locations with a blacklight. I found it hard to see the exact start of a leak with clean, clear oil. got it at the GM dealership.

[mthomas58]

I'm preparing for an engine swap and have been building a parts list to replace all the usual suspect gaskets and seals. Posts like this make me think it might be best to leave the RMS alone unless it is already leaking. (58k on the replacement engine).

[Dixie]

It's definitely oil. Nice green Brad Penn oil.

So far i can only tell where it's not leaking: cooler, thermostat, breather.. It's either the flywheel seal or the shaft seal. I'll have to pull the engine to tell exactly what the cause is.

Oh well, hopefully it's a leaking seal and not a leaking case.

[Dixie]

Wow Ryan, that's some leak...

[sand_man]

Hang in there! That is indeed one of the most frustrating sights, Ryan!!!!

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

Don't feel so bad. 4.3 miles for me.

[Porsche_monkey]

If you pull it make sure the outer diameter is not oval. Mine was and it had to be machined and sleeved.

And my driveway looked just like that ^^^ the first time I drove it.

[mjshira]

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

Don't feel so bad. 4.3 miles for me.

man I remember that!