Another oil return tube question

[steve911T]

Checking for oil leaks on the underside of the engine and of course, the bottom of the engine was real nasty. Cleaned the oil return tubes and much to my surprise, one of the tubes (probably original) had some play, in and out. I cannot imagine that this is normal, the other 3 were tight. Also, the leak does appear from the oil cooler so that has to come out. I am assuming, the heat exchanger has to come off. Looks like an ugly job. The exchanger, crossover, do not look like they have ever been removed. I may have to buy about 20 metal blades for the dremel to remove the rusted, deformed bolts. I did fix the upper oil leaking problems several weeks ago. Thanks for any help.

Steve

[pioneer1]

refer to oil return tubes in the parts catalogue

[john walker's workshop]

if you can turn the tube, it's leaking. if you turn an old tube that wasn't leaking, it will.

[steve911T]

Mr. Walker, thank you for the reply. Seems to me, if it moves it leaks. Steve This was on the 89 3.2.

[john walker's workshop]

on an '89, you can do all the tubes without removing the exchangers. the left front needs to go in before the left rear. use the gold tubes with green seals and liberal silicone grease. oil doesn't work.

[VaSteve]

How much pressure is the oil under in those tubes? I thought my main oil line was leaking...took it off, cleaned it really well (and the heat exchanger) and ran the car HARD for a little while. This is the 3rd time I have done this since I have seen oil around the base of where it meets the case.

When I came back, I parked it and didn't any oil. A little bit later, I noticed that it was dipping off the HE and the bottom of the engine. The cooling tin above the return tubes had oil on it as well. Could a pinhole leak spray oil down there like it would topside?

I have plugged every other leak on the top, the return tubes are the only thing I haven't touched.

[James Brown]

theres no pressure in the return tubes, there gravity return.

[NewfieMZ3]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

on an '89, you can do all the tubes without removing the exchangers. the left front needs to go in before the left rear. use the gold tubes with green seals and liberal silicone grease. oil doesn't work.

Is the same true for an 84?

[john walker's workshop]

same.

[NewfieMZ3]

After reading this thread I checked mine yesterday. I know one was getting weak because it was sweating a little. After checking for play, well it's an official leak now!!!! I checked one other and it turned quite easily.........I left the others alone. I guess it would be wise to replace all four? As I suspect it is only a matter of time.

[steve911T]

The one that was loose was very apparent, the other 3 tubes were solid and had no play, but I agree, all 4 will be replaced. Thanks for the responses to this post. Steve