Oil Lines

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

Ok... a couple of questions before my arrogance and ignorance gets the best of me.
I jacked up the right side of the car today and cleaned the pan and the front right wheel well. I wanted to get it real clean so I can assess pan dents and see any leaks clearly and because it was nasty....
Cleaning the wheel well and oil lines up front this time I found most of the black paint is no longer on the lines. It didn't seem to be rusted at all but down to metal in the majority of line that is exposed to the wheel.
What type of metal are the lines made of? Why is exposed metal not rusting?
If its stainless why would it be painted?
Anyway.... I would like to clean them up since you can see them through the space between the tire and the fender.
If I wanted to leave them looking polished and unpainted, what would be the best way to finish them? Or do they really need to be painted?
I was thinking clear enamel.
Question 2
do I need any special tools to drop the oil lines and tank?

KTL · 05-10-2003, 07:14 PM

Mike,

Those lines are made of brass. They clean up real nice. I don't know what that crap is that's on there now.

I cleaned mine with 3M abrasive pads and citrus degreaser.

They don't shine as much anymore, but still look good. Brass-looking, but duller.

The only special tools you need are big wrenches. Like 36mm, 32mm, and 30 mm I believe.

Gotta be patient with those fittings too. Sometimes they stick together and don't let go. Some good penetrating lube and time are your friends here. Forget about WD-40 too. That stuff blows. Liquid Wrench isn't much better. PB blaster and Wurth Rost-Off are good ones.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

Damn Kevin! That looks pretty! Thank you.
I was cleaning the ones in the rear a few weeks ago and they didn't look like brass at all. Is it a brass plate or is it solid? Could I have scoured off the brass plating?

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

I didn't know you could put a jack stand there. I have some nasty aftermarket tar undercoating in my wells. I haven't found any real problems that it was put there to cover up Thank Gud! I was a little freaked when I realized it but I believe it was actually done in good faith at some point. Thats another cleaning project for the future... It comes off pretty easy but what a nasty job thats gonna be...

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

this is the rears

Here are the fronts. What a shamefull embarrassment

They sure look like brass in the pictures

Chuck Moreland · 05-10-2003, 08:00 PM

They are solid brass and don't require any paint. Brass doesn't rust but it does tarnish, so if you want a polished finished you will have to repeat the cleaning periodically.

There are a number of brass cleaners on the market, available from your local hardware store.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

the back ones are brass? Look at the picture. That can't be brass.

Chuck Moreland · 05-10-2003, 09:38 PM

No, the forward ones are brass. The rear ones are plated steal.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

Thanks Chuck. what is the best way to finish the plated steel if I wanted to keep it metalic? why are they different? How do the plated steel lines come from the factory?

KTL · 05-11-2003, 07:14 PM

The factory rear lines were originally painted black on my car.

A replacement line I bought is cadmium plated.

The red jack stand is holding up the car. Porsche put little jacking point feet on the underbody starting in 87. Ignore the yellow jack stand. It's only holding up the brass lines because they're not clamped in place at the time of the picture!

HarryD · 05-11-2003, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KTL

Thanks for the great pic!

The location is also good on all earlier cars. They just forgot to put the plate there. This is the spot I use in the front. Allows easy access to the front suspension and is out of the way.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

I think I have a seam right in that spot. I wouldn't want to squish my seam! As a matter of fact I just spent a few hours repairing the rubber coating on my pan. Uh oh... its no longer stock! But... it should be a little more better as far as keeping the rust away. And that particular spot was missing the rubber coat and the seam happened to be a little squished. Oh well. I'll never win a concourse event with her. still... she is MY 911!

HarryD · 05-12-2003, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Kast
I think I have a seam right in that spot. I wouldn't want to squish my seam! As a matter of fact I just spent a few hours repairing the rubber coating on my pan. Uh oh... its no longer stock! But... it should be a little more better as far as keeping the rust away. And that particular spot was missing the rubber coat and the seam happened to be a little squished. Oh well. I'll never win a concourse event with her. still... she is MY 911!

Mike,

Consider that the seam you are refering to, is a junction of body parts that is very strong.

It is a great place to support your car, concours be damned!