912 heater is killing me. Not kidding.

[allshowauto]

I have a 69. It is cold and damp here. The heat tubes in my car were disconnected and after I put them on the car filled with smoke. I swamped out the box's but it still gets me sick driving it to work. I talked with a Porsche guy and he said the 912 was an open system and a lost cause. He said there was some aftermarket set up and that I might be able to rework bug box's. Any help would be so appreciated.

[C. Clark]

Check your heater boxes, make sure they are opening and closing correctly. if smoke is in the cabin oil is most likely dripping from push rod tubes or elsewhere onto hot header pipes causing the problem. My heater in my 69 works well.
Chas.
69/912

[allshowauto]

I think my engine leaks a little from everywhere!

[jpamental]

I was leaking a little from everywhere until I switched to 20/50 oil (as long as the average temps are above 50 or so this weight should be fine I think) and the slightly thicker oil generally didn't leak a drop. If that's what's happening (oil dripping from the pushrod tubes) this might clear it up for you.

Good luck!

Jason

[cgarr]

The O rings under the head bolts will get hard with age and heat and can really leak bad, that drops the oil right on the hot J tube. It will look like a valve cover leak sometimes. I think you can replace these one at a time since they are only on the lower head bolts inside the valve covers. I dont know of any type of vw bug heater that would work since they are completely different, Porsche uses head heat and vw's use only the J tube heat. Take some time and fix it, you will be amazed at how much heat you can get out of a good working system.

Craig

[allshowauto]

If the head bolts are inside the valve covers, how do they leak? I am a stupid body man playing Porsche mechanic. Help me.

[C. Clark]

To get to the washers that leak you must remove the head and bolts. Only a portion of the bolt lives in the valve cover,the part you turn, the rest of the bolt runs down through the cylinder fins and on to case. Rockers must be removed also, when doing this repair replace all washers metal and rubber, torque to spec. Engine must be removed to do this repair. if you don't have a manual get the orange covered 912 Manual, it's a good place to start.
Chas.
69/912

[Morrie]

We pulled my engine, disassembled it down to the point where the pistons were hanging on the connecting rods, replaced all the top end gaskets, and had it back together and running in 36 hours. The top end gasket set can be had retail for under 30 bucks if you know where to look and with patience the job isn't dificult, you just need the right books and documentation.