apierce918

well, i was setting my engine to top dead center prepping for re-assembly (few more parts in the mail), and while lying under the car i was looking at oil leaks and such, and noticed the lower balance shaft had crap all over the back, was hardened, looked like i could just chip it off, and oil was leaking from there...

i did a search and found a few instances where people recommend just cleaning the area and putting RTV silicone all around the back.

i checked the upper balance shaft afterwards, and i suspect that to be leaking as well, and at the very rear, the cap or whatever it is, has a lot of play to it, is that normal?

do i have to tear the whole front apart for the lower shaft leaking at the rear? if thats the case, i see why one of the PO put that crap there.

ELLSSUU

The rear of the LBS has a aluminum disc with a recessed o-ring in the indentation of the disc. I was told to put a good RTV around that o-ring when installing the disc to the LBS cover. Some don't recomend the RTV in that spot. Also notice that the cover itself needs a special Aneorobic sealant.

To replace the o-ring seal the BS cover has to come off and thus so does the front powersteering bracket, pulley etc. Go to Clarks for a good write up. Note all of this was on a 951 but I'm pretty sure the LBS is the same situation on an NA.

Mike C.

Clean thre area well with a strong solvent such as lacquer thinner, brake cleaner, etc. Apply a liberal amount of red RTV so the gap between the disc and cover/block is completely covered. As long as you got all the oil off these surfaces, the RTV will seal it for good. I do this even when replacing the o-ring since they will eventually harden where the RTV doesn't.

PorscheDoc

Here is your culprit Some RTV smeared over the cap will hold it for up to a couple years until you can get in there and fix it properly on your next belt/front seal job.

Techno Duck

Next time you do the belts is a good time to replace them. The lower cover is a PITA to get off and you will probably need to remove the engine leg and motor mount on that side. You will also need Loctite 574 to seal the housing against the block.

apierce918

is the rear cap supposed to have some play? i can wiggle it with my finger on the top shaft, the lower shaft is covered with stuff

PorscheDoc

No, there should be no play. If there is, it means the o ring is deteriorating inside the cover.

apierce918

well, that would be easier than the bottom one... but i still cant do it without tearing the whole front of the engine apart >

looks like it would only be $30 or so for all the seals for the two shafts... maybe i should just let it take me another week... and do it now

Mike C.

It's kept them from leaking for over 10 years on mine...