I have a 87 911. Before I order parts, can you really do the left side oil return tubes without removing the heat exchanger? It looks almost impossible...

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This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here:

Almost impossible it is, but if you are patient, careful and lube the O-rings well you will be OK.

- Casey

If you have small hands and STRONG fingers. It is a challenge to do it that way put possible.

Tear them both out and do the front one first. Use a thick silicone paste like Dow 111. anything else will not allow the o-rings to slide. Tight, but do-able.

I replaced all four return tubes without removing the heat exchangers on my 87. Did it on my back in an unheated garage in mid February.
It isn't easy, and did take the better part of a weekend, I recall taking a few breaks to reread and puzzle through the many suggestions posted on the forum.
Do clean/degrease the entire area around the return tubes before removing the old ones. Read the many posts and the tech article as they provide many good suggestions.
Recall that I put gear clamps on the expanding return tubes in order to have some place to pry them apart and seat them in the seals.
Needed to use small/narrow c clip pliers to reach in between the exchangers and the engine.

Yes I did my 87 over the winter also.. The key is the 111 lube- if you use this its not very difficult at all- I didn't need any c clamps- just a hammer and screwdriver.. The hardest part was getting the old original tubes off.


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