oil return tubes

Is there a difference in the collapsable oil return tubes that are out there? or are they all of the same quality and effectiveness? and what's a good source on the web. One of mine develop a leak (I assume) after the car sits for a few days. thanks

They shouldn't leak at all. The bigger end should be the next to the center part of the engine,because the oil, after the engine stops, runs toward the center. All of the rubber rings should be coated with Dow 111 a high heat grease which will help the seat better. Be sure they are extended fully and seated well.

Good Luck,
Mike Miller 89 911

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where do you get dow 111? do most auto parts stores carry it? thanks

IMHO the "BEST" replacement tubes are the ones PORSCHE sells. Point two, there are tons of silicone greases on the market, Wurth sells the same type of product at www.wurthusa.com

Randy Jones
1971 911

You can get DC 3 (Dow Corning 111) at any good aviation shop. If you have a smaller airport in the area, ask any of the maintenance people there.

Also is available at www.aircraftspruce.com

JA

I just ordered a 5.3oz tube of DC111 from Aircraft Spruce for around $20 plus shipping. They have to special order it but it should be here Tuesday. I know Warren has often said this is also called DC3. When I told that to the sales lady at Spruce it really confused matters. She said, "I don't have DC3, but I've got DC4 in stock. It's about the same." DC4 looks like an electrical grease like Bosch distributor grease. She then called her Dow contact who told her that DC4 and DC111 are very different things. And he had no idea what DC3 is. I suspect this is a form of slang based on the fact that "111" looks like the Roman numeral 3. So give them a call and just ask for DC111.

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Greg
72 911S

BTW, this page http://www.robertmckeown.com/dcprodcts.htm has specs on DC4, DC111, and lots of others. There is no mention of DC3.

I'd agree that Wurth's Silicon Lubricating Compound is probably very similar.

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Greg
72 911S

[This message has been edited by ggalloway (edited 10-08-2000).]

[This message has been edited by ggalloway (edited 10-08-2000).]

whay about a hight temp silicone seal, like the red or copper colored ones? Or will the not stick to oily surfaces? Also, do I have to got to a Porsche dealer to get the porsche tubes? or do places like pellican etc. sell them?

John,

Do not use a silicon sealant on O-rings. DC111 is a lubricant that can withstand very hi temps. You just want to lubricant the O-rings on the oil return tubes so that they are free to move around as the engine heats up and parts expand. DC111 will not run so the O-rings should stay lubricated for a long time and reseat themselves. You also want them lubricated so the O-rings don't bind up when you install the tubes. Remember, anytime there is an O-ring involved, its the O-ring that does the work of stopping the oil. The grease just helps it do that job better. Same with your distributor O-ring, oil thermostat O-ring, etc.

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Greg
72 911S

why don't they include a little tiny packet of this grease with the new tubes? I only need one tube replaced ?

doesn't mobil-1 have a high temp grease available? I've seen a synthetic slick-50 grease somewhere I think?

John,

Buy a tube of DC111 and it will last you for ten years unless you are a full time mechanic. Well worth having around the garage for anything that uses a rubber "O" ring.

Some people will supply a small envelope with lube in it for the "O" rings, but most do not. For the cost of the DC111, its not worth doing the job a second time, especially when it involves draining oil!

JoeA

John,

I understand your position. I fretted over this issue two weeks ago. You're not required to use any kind of grease on the O-rings. I asked three mechanics that have been working on 911's for quite some time, and none of them used DC111. They all put O-rings in dry. Bruce Anderson recommends DC111, as do several folks on this board. Again, the O-ring is doing the work to seal in the oil, not the grease. The grease just allows the O-ring to slip in easliy without binding, and allows it to reseat itself anytime it is disturbed by thermal expansion. Lightly coating the O-ring with motor oil (just like you would your oil filter) will help prevent it from binding.

With that said, I hate oil leaks, and my car has got several. I'm replacing my oil return tubes, distributor O-ring, and oil thermostat O-ring. All are leaking. I'll be using DC111 on all of them. It may not make a difference but it's a cheap piece of mind that lets me sleep at night. There's just too much to worry about on a 28 year old car without worrying about my O-rings.

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Greg
72 911S