Is it me or is it that Victor Reinz stuff has been declining in quality?
05-14-2021, 06:53 AM
#1
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Is it me or is it that Victor Reinz stuff has been declining in quality?
As per the title - nearing the end of the latest 32v engine rebuild and cannot help but notice that the rubber in the VR full gasket set feels sub-par quality wise. The cam tower gaskets needed Loctite gasket maker to sit in freshly cleaneed grooves, the oil filler neck gasket was also ill fitting. The water bridge The spark plug grommets were pants too. In contrast, a previous full set from Porsche was superb. fitted like a glove. I have heard similar comments from others, that ELRING made kits for BMWs are much better than VR. Is that the case for our cars too?
Alex
Alex
05-14-2021, 10:50 AM
#2
Administrator - "Tyson"
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I cannot speak specifically on any brand, but one issue is any shaft type seal there are more and more "cheap" versions without the spring on the inner seal. Crank seal, camshaft seal etc.... always look on the inside of the rubber lip and make sure that spring is there.
05-14-2021, 12:03 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
I don't you VR's oil pickup o-ring. I toss them in the trash.
I also only use Porsche front and rear crank seals. They are so much easier to install than the VR.
I also only use Porsche front and rear crank seals. They are so much easier to install than the VR.
05-14-2021, 05:07 PM
#4
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Try to remember that Porsche does not make their own gaskets and seals. Almost everything in a genuine Porsche gasket set is sourced from either Elring or VR.
And yes, as the gaskets and seals have been reproduced, over the years, critical dimensions have changed.
Where you used to be able to crack open a VR gasket set and build an oil tight engine, this is no longer the case.
Substitution of various gaskets and seals, along with the use of certain sealants in certain locations has become almost an "art form".
And unfortunately, knowing which pieces to use and where to use them, is only learned by doing....and going back to fix what doesn't work....sometimes multiple times.
And yes, as the gaskets and seals have been reproduced, over the years, critical dimensions have changed.
Where you used to be able to crack open a VR gasket set and build an oil tight engine, this is no longer the case.
Substitution of various gaskets and seals, along with the use of certain sealants in certain locations has become almost an "art form".
And unfortunately, knowing which pieces to use and where to use them, is only learned by doing....and going back to fix what doesn't work....sometimes multiple times.
Last edited by GregBBRD; 05-14-2021 at 05:12 PM.
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05-14-2021, 05:10 PM
#5
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The last Reinz valve cover gasket I tried to install felt like it was about 2% too small in all dimensions. Total pain in the *** to get seated all around and stayed in place.
05-15-2021, 02:52 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
I feel like they have as well.
I generally only use Elring when I can, they generally are made with better materials and use the best design.
For example, the Elring wheel bearing seals are double lipped like the originals, the VR and others pretty much all use a cheaper single lipped design.
I have yet to have trouble with Elring seals personally but the VR ones have given me some grief over the years. But of course YRMV.
I generally only use Elring when I can, they generally are made with better materials and use the best design.
For example, the Elring wheel bearing seals are double lipped like the originals, the VR and others pretty much all use a cheaper single lipped design.
I have yet to have trouble with Elring seals personally but the VR ones have given me some grief over the years. But of course YRMV.