lart951

I pulled this one today out of a 86" $ 39.99 plus $ 10.90 for 2-3 day priority mail.

Jeff N.

Just pulled the OPRV and didn't do anything with the housing. Do I still need to align?

Bri Bro

The tool is used to keep the OPRV centered as the bolts are tightened. There is a slight chance that the assembly moved while tightening oils lines etc. It doesn't hurt to check.

Jeff N.

Well, the saga continues. Tonight I put in the new one piece OPRV after some careful checking of the threads and modifying a tool a bit. Pulled the plugs and cranked the car until I built up oil pressure and then re-installed the plugs.

The next sequence goes something like this....

- Start car
- Varroom...idling smoothly
- Nice...oil pressure
- *pop*
- huh...what was that?
- hmm...oil pressure is falling...what the ???
- shut off the car and get out

On the floor is a good imitation of the Exxon Valdez oil slick. 2 or 3 quarts at least.

Looks like the OPRV bound up and the overpressure popped one of the oil cooler hoses. Or...at least that's my guess. Too much oil to see much of anything at the moment.

Guess it's time to get an alignment tool and pull the oil housing. Might as well rebuild the seals while I'm in there. Looks like I'll be replacing a cooler hose or two as well.

Drat.

Bri Bro

I talked with a mechanic that wrenched with a 951 team back in 86. He said the reason they changed the 86 OPVR was due to it sticking and generating way too much pressure. Also, you might want to check/replace the oil cooler thermostat.

KuHL 951

Did you try and clean the tip of that used 1-piece OPRV before installing it? It sure looks nasty in that photo. Did you install a new outer seal on the OPRV? If yours blew from over pressure that sounds like a full blockage someplace like the OPRV is totally frozen shut. Did you look down into the sleeved area of the block for debris? Now that you have to remove the cooler housing be sure and get the alignment tool. Aren't these cars a hoot?

Bri Bro

Can you buy a 87 assembly with the OPRV in it and swap it out for the 86?

The cost of the updated 86 OPRV is high, I am sure you could buy the assembly for much less with all the parts FS currently.

95ONE

Good thread.. haven't had to deal with this issue yet, But Im sure I will.. Keep the answers and posts coming.

KuHL 951

The 87 OPRV won't fit. The difference is in the block, not the housing so he's stuck with the conversion type OPRV.

95ONE

So, its only 1986/older blocks that have the 3 piece?

has anyone deleted this thing (whole filter and valve assembly) and just put a remote filter adapter on? Dry sumps dont count. if so, did you re-use the oprv somehow, or use a universal type piece?

Jeff N.

Steve - Lart's picture is not my unit. The one I installed was quite clean. Hoot...er..yes...right.

Good news is that it appears that only the oil filter to block seal failed. Looks like the oil cooler lines are intact. Still not 100% positive but I can clearly see where the filter seal failed.

Next step is to get an alignment tool and check the setup.

KuHL 951

Yes, 86 and older=3-piece OPRV. I don't think there's anyway to eliminate the Porsche OPRV since it operates internal to the block. Many people do install remote filter mounts and coolers though just using the standard eBay sandwich mounts.

Jeff N.

BTW, can I just align and not pull the entire assembly? That is - essentially loosen the bolts a bit and use the aligning tool to correct? Or, will I have to pull the entire unit? I would really prefer not to pull the entire unit.

Jeff N.

OK...after sitting on jackstands since..uh...the end of October...I'm now back on this.

Got the factory tool...checked the alignment. Not aligned. I guess the good news is that I know this is the problem. The bad news is that I need to drain the friggin' coolant so I can align.

I'd really like to just loosen the factory bolts a bit and align. Can anyone confirm this is doable? I don't want to pull the whole unit.

Jeff N.

Nevermind. I just pulled the housing tonight. (Yick - messy job). I'm going to re-install and do it right.

BTW - thanks to Tom for the nifty instructions. Pretty darn helpful.