Ragin' Bajan

Like many others recently, one of my oil lines sprung a leak, leaving a pool of the dark and sticky all over my garage floor. Hey, no problem I thought, it's a simple matter of unscrewing the old lines and replacing with a new one--previous posts had even provided pointers to less-than-very-expensive parts. After finally getting the parts (including spanners), I installed an EBS oil line. The union connection to the thermostat took some effort but finally I hooked everything up, added oil, ran the engine for 30 minutes and no leaks. However, when I double checked the line, I see that it is crimped, because obviously the angle between the rubber hose and the metal line is too much. I don't want to suggest that there's something wrong with the EBS line--maybe it's fine and somehow my thermostat has been pushed out of place resulting in an odd angle for the oil line. Has anyone had a similar experience, or used these lines before?

The bottom line is: any suggestions? Should I somehow bend the little 'S' pipe to ease the kink in the line? If so, how (some heat and brute force)? I assume it's a bad idea to leave as is. Bite the bullet and order a OE line (~ $600)?

garrett376

I had the same issue:
https://rennlist.com/forums/964-forum/264665-oil-line-replacement-0-for-3-a.html

It takes some brute strength but it will get better; don't leave it as you have it!

Geoffrey

I found that the thermostat to oil filter console line does not fit properly with NON PORSCHE OEM lines and pinches in the manner you state. I replaced with a genuine Porsche line and it fit properly. In looking at the two lines, the metal is slightly different on the OEM line and therefore does not fit near the body a few inches after the metal ends.

Ragin' Bajan

Thanks for the replies! I pulled out the line with the intention of replicating Garrett's pipe brutality, but it appears I've creased the rubber line permanently--something inside is definitely damaged. I'm uncomfortable with the constant worry of a ready-to-burst oil line everytime I go out for a drive, and I need the car reassembled by the weekend, so it's off to the dealer for the hideously expensive part. Well, I can always eat cold rice in the dark for the next few months to pay for it.

Had I to do it all over again, I'm not sure which way I'd go. The EBS line is 1/3 the price of the Porsche one, which would be a no-brainer, but the hassle of realigning it makes it an iffy proposition.
Here's a recreation of the angles involved that caused the crimp. I sent some pics off to EBS and hopefully they (or the supplier if it's not them) can rectify the design. I'd love to see a more economical alternative to the Porsche oil lines.

jimq

I would send them the line back as not as advertised. Thats a lot of money to **** away on a bum part.

Ragin' Bajan

I didn't ask for a refund because I knew I was taking a risk, but to EDS' credit (I just got an email from them), Troy insisted I send it back and he will refund the money. They don't make the part, they source it from someone else who lists it as 'genuine'.

JasonAndreas

Great, now I'm wondering about the line that I bought from them (as genuine) that runs from the filter console to the crankcase. Over the years there have been several revisions of your line from Porsche, I wonder if removing the steel or kevlar braid was in one of those updates? Your rubber short line that connects on the left of the thermostat and runs to the oil tank also looks to be too long? There are two part numbers depending on the version of the thermostat that you have and the line should leave the thermostat at angle of around 45 degrees and not horizontal?

Ragin' Bajan

Looking at Pelican Part 964-207-251-01-M100 from http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...NGoil_pg2.htm#,
I can see what you're saying. However, the line in the pic is original and I haven't replaced it.

Ragin' Bajan

So I went dumpster diving and retrieved the old line for comparison. I think I see the problem: basically the EBS line (really I think it's made by 'Conti') has a slightly too-long metal connector, resulting in the rubber hose not fitting exactly against the inner contours of the wheelwell.

Here's a side by side comparison of the two lines. I'm going to send the oil line back to EBS (and presumably it'll work it's way back to Conti) and hopefully they'll make a line that fits.

EDIT: here's another identical experience (doesn't say where the line came from though)
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...light=oil+line

asbi

That was me! The oil line was fitted by a specialist here in the UK, oh and I was charged for an OEM part!

Needless to say the specialist in question fitted an Porsche part at no cost once the mistake had been noticed.

The swaging is too high on the pattern parts as you have noticed, good luck in getting sorted,
Regards,
Kevin.

Ragin' Bajan

I just returned from one of the local Porsche dealers, and they've sold the exact same line as EBS did, only they charged me three times as much. Ohh, I'm less than happy Also, it provides some insight into the rapaciousness of this semi-discount dealer.
What to do.... Looks like I may have to contact the official Porsche dealer and pay even more for one of their lines. Oh god, I want to cry....

Maybe time to look into getting one from the States....

aeroman

I have a 92 C4 that just got out of a thorough go through by Chris's German Auto in Washington. He found the same line kinked and told me that there are more than 1 part number depending on your part number oil pump. MIne is not bad and he said it can stay that way for now but next tune up has got to go. Hopefully that helps.