Excessive oil leak

[bajamanjc]

I am helping a friend and we have replaced an oil pump on an '88 924S. All is well but now there was one heck of an oil leak. The area was the front passenger corner of engine, droping from the front balance shaft assembly and front corner of the pan. The bottom of the oil pump looks great...no leaks at the bottom. Because of space and can't run it without belts and I can't really tell about the top of the pump (by water pump).

So here's what we did....we decided the balance shaft assembly was the problem (where it slides onto the bottom part of the block). We removed everthing again and RTVed the assembly and reinstalled the belts etc.. Leak is less but still excessive. ANY IDEAS????? We have retorqued the pan bolts with no luck...plus it is comming from above the pan (just can see that much above the pan...limited space). We have sealed the oil pump but was tricky to get in. How much more work is involved to remove the balance shaft assembly housing completly(this is for Balance Shaft Assembly o-ring replacement)? By the way the head/cam assembly is good...no leaks there! Only leak when running. Oil PSI 4+ bars.

Any help would be appreciated, I am trying to get as many ideas before the 3rd tear down.

1988 924S 65,000 original miles.

[ae1969]

You balance shaft seal is leaking (common problem).

Your best bet is to tear the front down and reseal both balance shafts properly.

The use of RTV is not in any of those procedures...

[bajamanjc]

Thanks for the reply!!! Is there any reason why both balance shaft assemblies should be sealed. It is just the bottom assembly in question...the top assembly is fine. Also, is all I need is one o-ring (#21). The seals are fine and no oil is coming into the belt area. Thanks again.

[ae1969]

Originally Posted by bajamanjc

Thanks for the reply!!! Is there any reason why both balance shaft assemblies should be sealed. It is just the bottom assembly in question...the top assembly is fine. Also, is all I need is one o-ring (#21). The seals are fine and no oil is coming into the belt area. Thanks again.

I am assuming the front seals have not been done on this car in some time. If not. THen all the front seals should be done. They are cheap. WHen one goes all the rest will soon follow.

Since the belts come off you will see most individuals doing all the front (balance/crank) seals, belts, (water pump if its due) etc.

It is one of those things that you like to do all at once.

The balance shaft has one seal and a thin hylomar gasket, both should be replaced minimally. If you are really anal about things you could replace the spacer sleeve as well. It has a tendancy to wear a groove but it is more apparent on the crank sleeve.

[Techno Duck]

Originally Posted by ae1969

The balance shaft has one seal and a thin mylar gasket,

[ae1969]

Originally Posted by Techno Duck

BUHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

Imagine if you did use hylomar........... WHOOOOOOOOOOOPSS

[bajamanjc]

Hey thanks again guys! We loosened one bolt from the balance shaft assembly and it was covered with oil...is that normal? Also, we took off the balance shaft assembly and it came out about an inch then kind of stopped, does it need a puller or will this assembly come out on its own. Does anything else need removing like electric fans (I know the belts, sprokets and all that stuff has to be removed but anything else)? Most of the assembly in the books the engine is out of the car for the balance shaft part. Thanks.

[HondaDustR]

Go to http://www.clarks-garage.com/ and click "garage manual" on the left, and you will have almost all the repair info you'll need for these cars.

[bajamanjc]

Thanks guys!