Oil pressure went low, stayed up on left sweeping turns, down on the straight, and worse going right. To the basement at idle. Problem became obvious when we dropped the oil pan- cracked oil suction tube. Only 47k miles on this engine.

Just thought I'd post to see if anyone else has experienced this, and to alert all to watch for this. That tube has a lot of hang and potential freedom of movement on an engine that generates a lot of vibration.

 

Have seen the exact same thing somewhere else, perhaps 968forums? (I left that forum due to a certain blowhard that is in charge of it)
Seems there is a guy who races 968's out of Ga., I think, had this happen to him, and he started offering modified p/u tubes. There is a brace welded from mounting flg. to The p/u tube. (don't quote me on that.. been a while since i have seen it).
Ken

 

Yes, this does happen more than it should and even happened to one of my engines, luckily I caught it before any damage. I inspect mine every time I have the pan off. I've seen the support that is sold but have not installed one.

 

Thanks for the comments. We did immediately think that a brace in the fore/aft direction would improve longevity of this part. Would like to see how others have already solved this. Does anyone have a link?

 

Here's a pic from another thread. Try crankscrapers.com

 

Balance shaft belt out of time or not running the balance shafts makes this problem worse/more common, but can happen to any of the 944 series motors.

Was the little bracket between the pickup tube and drain tube still intact with the bolt & nut still in place? Have seen where that nut falls off into the pan, or that bracket breaks first, then the tubes vibrate separately and crack at the base.

 

That had an intact connection, but that only limits motion in one direction. An additional bracket should help.

Thank you, Tim for the links and picture!