RichieP

Greg,

Even if it is a discontinued part you can take it to shop that repairs hydraulic lines. I used a local shop to replace the rubber part of all my lines. They reused the metal tubing including the connectors.

88 Shark

Sound like a plan, I hope it is the #5 though, it's the easiest to get to.... but... it never seems to work that way, for me anyway. Oh well, life goes on. Thanks for all of the help, I will post my results.

heinrich

Check #7, that is the very short thin insulated hose that runs from one of the trans auxiliary cooler ports up front around the side of the rad. It OFTEN leaks and can be remanufactured inexpensively.

88 Shark

How hard is that to get off? If it is that one. Because that runs all the way back to the side of the trans right? So I would have to take the whle thing off to have it repaired.

heinrich

it's about 5 inches long

heinrich

ugh yes you are right sorry!! I meant number FIVE.

Bill Ball

Yep, that's where #5 leaked on my 89. The fitting on the rear metal section was loose and would allow that section to swivel, and it leaked at that joint. Also, the replacement hose from Porsche was about an inch longer than my original one and could not be made to fit. I sent it back, and the vendor had Porsche rummage around and they found one that was the same size as my original - same PN as the other one that didn't fit. It wasn't the hose that was too long - it was the rear metal section. Weird.

88 Shark

Thanks Bill, That is the one I will look at. I am guessing it is squirting out of the same area as yours. The cheapest prce I found for the hose was $88. For a little 10" hose! Oh well, if it stops the leak it is $$ well spent. Thanks all.

Bill Ball

Greg:

The drip from that fitting ran down the AC hoses and dripped on the ground from there. Yes, it is expensive. Others have suggested looking into getting it rebuilt locally at a hydraulic hose maker.

88 Shark

Just an update.... I have not removed the hose yet (other jobs taken care of first) But, I had removed the upper rad hose and tried to tighten the #5 hose and it seems tight, I am having a hard time seeing the leak, But there is still a drip comming from that area, don't know what else it could be other than the #7 hose. I guess I should just have the #5 rebuilt and hope that is the problem. Any thoughts? I am ready to get this taken care of now. Thanks All.

S4-on-your-back-door

go ahead and rebuild them thats a common leak, mine are leaking too

88 Shark

Sound like a plan... I just needed someone to tell me that I guess.

Mrmerlin

remove all of the small hoses that you can there is also one that runs near the frame rail this is held with a swaged collar and is connected to a long metal line that runs back to the trans. cut the collar with a dremel and remove the hose take them all to a hose shop that does Hydraulic lines they will install new hose, let them know what the hose is carrying also you might look into replacing the hoses at the rear of the car that connect to the transmission see if the hose shop will sell you some hose about 5 feet should do the trick and with the dremel you can replace and reclamp the rear lines as well, of course it requires removal of the exhaust system and the heat shields.
If you like the work of the hose shop then you can remove the 4 fuel lines under the hood and get them replaced as well you need to have Hi pressure fuelinjection line used on the fuel lines, after reinstalling the lines check the swaged parts of the connectors for leaks after a few days if its leaking or oozing then you will find a brown waxy substance coming from the comnnectors/swages this indicates that the swages were put on too tight or over crimped

Joe '87 S4

I had the exact same leak about about two years ago. I had the fittings tightened and the leak stopped until about a month ago. It's only leaking a drip or two after being parked in the garage all week but I'll propbably have the hose replaced the next time I have the car serviced. It amazes me how these cars all seem to have similar leaks/problems. At least I know I'm not alone.

Chazz

I recently had the front hose/tube assemblies replaced with with Porsche OEM parts. They were about $100 each from Germany. I had the corresponding rear assemblies rebuilt by crimping on new hose. As Jim pointed out, the leakage was due to deterioration of the rubber so re-clamping or crimping the original hose wouldn't solve the problem.