Would you go with this oil pan gasket install, or should I try again?

Alpha944 · 10-11-2010, 01:12 AM

Ok, so I decided to change my brand new but leaking oil pan gasket. I did as best as I could and this is what I ended up with. What a crappy gasket design. Is this acceptable or should I just tear it off and try a third time?

Front left corner bulging

Front right corner bulging

Alpha944 · 10-12-2010, 03:21 AM

Wow. no answers yet. Is this just too difficult to call?

944 Ecology · 10-12-2010, 04:19 AM

If you aren't sure it's done right, do it until you are sure.

HondaDustR · 10-12-2010, 11:00 AM

Yeah, crappy gasket. Mine did not fit well at all at the corners either. Way too much material that would have needed to be squeezed between the nearly vertical areas of the half circles. I just trimmed mine with a razor blade where it fit too tightly so it would allow the pan to seat more deeply without getting forced and stuck while being able to achieve more even and realistic gasket compression accross the entire gasket. I used grey instant silastic RTV and gooped around the corners, curved areas, and especially at the seams where the girdle/oil pump meets the block, for both sides of the gasket and on the block and pan of those areas. It hasn't leaked a drop. That job would have sucked major @ss getting it right if it hadn't had been on an engine stand!

Alpha944 · 10-12-2010, 03:15 PM

I wish I had some more experience so I culd tell better if I can be sure or not.
I was kinda hoping for someone to let me know if this kind of bulging is normal or not.

Seems like I'll have to buy a third gasket then.....

962porsche · 10-12-2010, 04:32 PM

the biggest thing people do wrong when it comes to installing gaskets is using RTV tipe gasket sealents . only a very small dab is needed on the right angles at times . in some all gasket sealents there is silicone and as you know silicone is very slippery so as you tighten the bolts it just pushes the gasket out from its seat . the other is not torking the part getting bolted on in this case the pan. off the top of my head you first tork them to 3 FT-LBS then to 7 FT-LBS . but check that tork spec ! the other thing is they do have a tightening sequence .

Alpha944 · 10-12-2010, 05:14 PM

Thanks for your advice.
Just to be clear. I followed the torque sequence and the tried to navigate through the conflicting opinions on the RTV. I did use very small amounts of RTV as there was RTV on the original gasket I removed. The first time I torqued all the steps with straight away, without letting the RTV cure. The second time I let the RTV set for approx. an hour. before torquing the last two steps.

If I try again the only thing I can think of trying is to block the gasket from bulging in the corners with some pieces of wood or something similar.

I gather from your answers that you all consider this bulging to be unacceptable.

962porsche · 10-12-2010, 06:46 PM

there should not be any gasket sealent from porsche ! but a gasket adhesive . adhesive is not the same thing as sealant . and you only use a very thin layer of it to keep the gasket in place . and only on one side of the gasket . most of the time the pan side . as for an RTV tipe sealent if your told to use it on any gasket that person telling you that is wrong !!!! sealant is for were there is no gaskets at all but one would be needed . if a gasket is installed right no sealant is needed . if the gasket is installed right and you are still having a leak . the thing to do is plain the mating parts surfaces so the gasket will work as it should with out a sealants .

Grandad#3 · 09:25 PM

Hello, If you are going to use a sealant use, Permatex Ultra Grey sealant, and then only at the 4 corners and at the front. A thin coat is all that is needed. Use Dental Floss and tie each opening to the oil pan. Install all fasteners until snug and remove all Dental Floss, Double Check it is all removed. The first torque is 3 ft lbs starting from the center working from side to side outward. The final torque is 6 ft lbs working from side to side out wards. Follow the writeup in Clark's Garage.com and you should be OK.

Did you inspect the Oil Pickup Tube for cracks and install a new seal?

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/lube-06.htm

Cheers,
Larry

Alpha944 · 10-13-2010, 01:38 AM

Thanks guys for trying to help.
The stuff on my original gasket was white and only in the corners of the hoops. so that's where I put the RTV.

Clark's recommends using RTV so that's what I went with. Using an adhesive makes more sense though. What do you recommend?

The grey stuff you see on the gasket is Permatex ultra grey. The OP tube is new as is the seal and the rod bearings. My first attempt was with the engine on a stand, but using Loctite 598 Black RTV Silicone Gasket Maker. I thought maybe that was the reason my first attempt failed so I changed to Permatex. As you can see I only used a very thin coat.

I guess I will have to remove the pan and get a third gasket. I will be close to suicidal if I have another leak.

Is there any difference in gasket quality from different suppliers? The first two Victor Reinz gaskets I got had or developed cracks in them. The first was broken on arrival at the corner of the hoop, it was replaced for free. When removing the second leaky one I discovered it had developed 1-2/16" cracks around the inserts at all four hoops. The last gasket I got from a LD had no packaging so unknown maker. It has different casting marks though and seems more supple, so it must be from a different supplier. Is the VR gasket known to be brittle and weak?

962porsche · 04:48 AM

when you in stall an oil pan you (most of the time ) work for the center of the pan to the front and back at the same rate torking the bolts down . i would have to look it up but i think thats the way porsche 944 pans also have there tightening sequence . so check to be sure and do it just and only the way porsche tightening sequence is . you can get a gasket adhesive at any auto part store . becouse you state the gasket pushes out when you are at its finale tork i don't think the string thing would work just use an adhesive . as a 35 year tech and 15+ shop owner i have never had to tie a gasket in place . as for what make of adhesive to use . i use eather NAPA's or CAR QUEST's gasket adhesives they work fine for me and my tech's .

89-944NA · 89-944NA's Garage

Use Loctite 574 on the girdle (block) side of the gasket