Advice needed: Oil leak behind flywheel

BenI · 06-17-2002, 08:20 AM

Here's my situation: my 914 is my only car, so when I have to work on it I try to get all the parts I need so I can fix it in one sitting. A couple months ago I noticed a drip. I bought parts for a main seal swap, but had a gallery plug blow right behind the flywheel before I could work on it. I performed the job, pulling both plugs, tapping and screwing new plugs in with JB Weld on the threads and over the top of the plugs. I also put on a new main seal, new flywheel o-ring, and a new clutch disc. Well, it's been a month and now the leak has gotten worse. While the engine is running, I can see a little stream of oil comming out of the drain hole below the clutch. It drips about once every 10 seconds. I have a few questions:

1) What could be leaking? Other than the main seal and the oil gallery plugs, I don't know what else it could be.

2) Can my clutch disc be saved? If it is oily, can it be cleaned with Brakclean or something, or sanded? SHould I have a new one standing by?

3) I didn't RTV the main seal in-was this a big mistake?

4) Any other questions Im not considering?

Thank you very much. I plan to do the job this weekend so want to order the parts soon. Any answers or advice would be greatly appreciated as Im having trouble feeling motivated to perform this job so soon after I jut did it.

Ben

BenI · 06-17-2002, 11:38 AM

The engine has 20,000 miles after a rebuild. When I did the job a month ago, I didn't worry about checking the freeplay of the flywheel. Could a shim problem make the engine leak worse?

Ben

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Make sure it's engine oil!!!! Smell it. Tranny oil has a distinctive smell.

James

I how I know that smell....

BenI · 06-17-2002, 12:04 PM

It is positively engine oil.

roadtrp204 · roadtrp204's Garage

You have the three or so oil plugs and a cam plug, usually if any of these are leaking its a big leak. On a few type I engines I have seen cracks leading the the oil galley and form leaks but I have yet to ever see this on a type IV.

I am led to believe it is still the seal leaking. A couple of things to remember, the seal must be seated straight, the flywheel sealing surface needs to be free of nicks or burs and if it has a wear ring try to move the seal so it doesn't ride in the same spot, and always put some oil on the seal so it won't stick to the flywheel on start-up. Installation of the seal without the tool can dent the metal part of the seal or seat it cocked in relation the the flywheel. If the seal is not installed deep enough the seal lip might be riding on the larger taper of the flywheel or even rubbing the flat part of the seal on the flywheel.