Oil leak on freshly resealed motor

[Rudycoop]

I just got my car on the road after 4 years of work restoring it. It runs/drives absolutely perfect, but is leaking oil and making me crazy. I think it's the flywheel seal. I wanted to get some insight from forum members so I hopefully will only have to drop the motor once to get it straight. The motor has new seals all around. I have read how people need to replace the flywheel seal upwards of 4 times before it stops.

- At idle it doesn't leak. I can run it for 20 minutes and nothing. Once I shut it down it
will leak.
- It usually will leak when I get the RPM's up. If I keep them down I usually don't get much of anything.
- Visual inspection leads me to believe it's the flywheel seal. I have no drips anywhere, but where the trans/engine casing meet. I was just in Europe for 2 weeks and when I came home there were 3 drips hanging from the case and a nice spot on the cardboard I left on the floor.
- I checked the top side of the motor and it seems dry and tight. All the culprits up top seem to be fine.

How come it doesn't just always leak when running? I am so confused by this one.

[proporsche]

Hi Rudy
do you remember what flywheel seal did you use?If it is anything else then Elring they will leak.
Also can you take a picture of the spot where do you see the oil leak?

Ivan

[Targalid]

Breather for the airbox? Maybe some oil blowing into the airbox and then dripping from the vent tube? It would be at the same place, approximately, as the main oil seal. Look inside the airbox for any oil to confirm. This would fit with hard driving if the oil expands enough to bypass to the airbox.

[Rudycoop]

Originally Posted by Targalid

Breather for the airbox? Maybe some oil blowing into the airbox and then dripping from the vent tube? It would be at the same place, approximately, as the main oil seal. Look inside the airbox for any oil to confirm. This would fit with hard driving if the oil expands enough to bypass to the airbox.

Is this typical? What about when I shut the motor down and it leaks?

I got my hand in there and confirmed the breather tube is connected. It seems dry. I will check the airbox, but I haven't experienced the engine smoking, EXCEPT when I drove uphill. I figured the oil was dripping onto the exhaust at this point. I really don't know though. I will go take a picture of the drip.

I used this flywheel seal:

[proporsche]

from my 35 year experience ..i stopped using Victor or any other makers of these seals.Only Elring since the 1980`s

Ivan
this one has to be ...


same goes for the front pulley seal

[Rudycoop]

Here is the leak:


I just drove it and it was leaking when I parked it.

You think it's the flywheel seal?

Originally Posted by proporsche

from my 35 year experience ..i stopped using Victor or any other makers of these seals.Only Elring since the 1980`s

Ivan
this one has to be ...


same goes for the front pulley seal

[proporsche]

hi..yup your flywheel seal ,since all on top is well...but double check with a flash light and mirror..

Ivan

[Rudycoop]

Originally Posted by proporsche

hi..yup your flywheel seal ,since all on top is well...but double check with a flash light and mirror..

Ivan

It's dry up top. Oil everywhere on the bottom as you can see. I hadn't known the troubles about the different seals until after it started leaking and I started digging on the forum. I am happy to trust your lengthy experience with these things.

Can't believe I have to drop the motor again. I'm just glad it's running so good. It'll be nice to get this behind me. I will be reporting back with my results and some photos.

I also was reading not to put it back in the same spot the previous one was installed? Is this correct?

[proporsche]

yes that is correct ..remember the position (before removing) and after cleaning the crank put it a little deeper 1-2 mm is enough

Ivan

[fred cook]

Because of the amount of labor involved, I would buy or borrow a seal installation tool to make certain the seal gets installed correctly. Also, when you get the old seal out, check the crankshaft to see if there is a wear ring. If so, try to insert the new seal so that it wears on a different spot. A tiny bit of wear can make a huge difference. Also, best do the work now before the oil gets onto the clutch friction surface!

[proporsche]

+1 with Fred...also take a picture of the seal when you remove the engine so we can see it

Ivan

[Rudycoop]

Thanks for the support and help guys. I really appreciate it. I will definitely be taking photos. I was already thinking about the tool. I think it's a no brainer. Anyone local to the SF bay area that has one?

The clutch has been on my mind the whole time. Should I not drive it until I get this fixed? I sometimes can't help myself when it's nice out. I can probably get the time this weekend to drop it and get it done.

[proporsche]

hi ,i have some friends in LA but that is too far for ya..I think in your case the spring fell off on installation because is leaking while you are at stop.
The tool is cool to have ,for me i have been using modified plastic hammer plus another hammer since the 1980`s again oldtimer teacher showed me ...
on installation (if you do find the tool) lubricate the seal inside and gently tap evenly on all round corners....
Ivan

Ivan

[McLovin]

Having some special tool to install the flywheel seal is ok, but it really isn't necessary.

I don't think most pro shops use any special tool.

The big issue, as said above, is not all 911 flywheel seals are created equal. I went through this exact same issue a while ago when I replaced my seal. You have to have the right one, or you have a good chance of a leak. Sucks!

[skidmark]

There is an oil galley plug in the end of the crank that I have seen leak in a few 3.6 motors.
Mark Kinninger

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Rudycoop

...
- It usually will leak when I get the RPM's up. If I keep them down I usually don't get much of anything.
...
How come it doesn't just always leak when running? I am so confused by this one.

I'm puzzled why you say it doesn't leak when running when it leaks when you get the RPMs up.

BTW that pic with perfectly symmetrical pair of oil droplets is neat. You must have cleaned the case before every drive !

[McLovin]

I don't recall the brand that I ended up getting that worked, but it was a "two tone" colored one like posted above.

The single color one that I initially used leaked immediately.

Get whatever tool you want, but focus on getting the correct seal first! With the wrong seal, it's going to leak no matter how you install it.

[Rudycoop]

Originally Posted by pmax

I'm puzzled why you say it doesn't leak when running when it leaks when you get the RPMs up.

BTW that pic with perfectly symmetrical pair of oil droplets is neat. You must have cleaned the case before every drive !

LOL you know it! Clean it like a crazy man. I did all that work I want to keep it clean! The drops were dripping and I waited for the one to fall and even out before I snapped the shot!

[Rudycoop]

New seal has arrived. My dad isn't around. Anyone want to come hand me tools and yell at me?

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by Rudycoop

New seal has arrived. My dad isn't around. Anyone want to come hand me tools and yell at me?

no but my son will come help , he says I taught him well at how to hold a flashlight and get yelled at ..