Oil Return Pipe Removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 6
From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Oil Return Pipe Removal
Is it possible to remove the oil return tubes with the engine intact through the exhaust valve head?
I think my major oil leak is the return tube seal at the head end. I removed the valve cover (did valve adjustment while in there!) and snap ring on the crankcase side but the tube still don't move
TIA
Frank
I think my major oil leak is the return tube seal at the head end. I removed the valve cover (did valve adjustment while in there!) and snap ring on the crankcase side but the tube still don't move
TIA
Frank
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 25
From: NY, USA
Generally speaking the oil return tube is installed with the engine apart.
However, Expandable Oil Return Tubes are available to allow for replacement without breaking down the engine.
However, Expandable Oil Return Tubes are available to allow for replacement without breaking down the engine.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 6
From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eturn_tube.htm
Looks like i have to twist and turn and push in from the head to remove?. Definitely do-able with engine intact but might have to remove H/E to get at it.
What's interesting is that my circlip groove is about 2 mm from the crankcase end, whereas the two piece units on Pelican look like the circlip is in the middle of the tube.
Looks like i have to twist and turn and push in from the head to remove?. Definitely do-able with engine intact but might have to remove H/E to get at it.
What's interesting is that my circlip groove is about 2 mm from the crankcase end, whereas the two piece units on Pelican look like the circlip is in the middle of the tube.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 25
From: NY, USA
My understanding is that the return tubes are supposed to be solid one piece units, but that replacing the one piece units requires removing the heads. To get around that problem the two piece units were made available. These can be installed without removing the heads and have the circlip to keep them fully extended once in place.
If you have circlips now, I expect you have after market two piece units.
If you have circlips now, I expect you have after market two piece units.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington, NC USA
I have replaced all mine with the expandable type. The hardest part for me was taking off the heat exchangers. The replacement of the tubes was fairly easy. I just crushed them with vice grips and was able to twist them out. They are not very strong.
Putting in the expandable ones is tricky to spread them, but I put a hose clamp on the smaller end to give something to press against. There should be several writes on how to do this.
Putting in the expandable ones is tricky to spread them, but I put a hose clamp on the smaller end to give something to press against. There should be several writes on how to do this.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 6
From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
I don't don't know what type mine are - they don't look like any of the tubes on Pelican (one or two piece). When I get one of them out I'll take a picture of it. It almost looks like a three piece unit from what I can see so far. I can get them off without removing heads but do need to remove exhaust. Just need to source a deep offset 12mm wrench locally....
Trending Topics
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Every Era of 911 Owner Explained in One Sentence
Verdad Gallardo
Thinking of Buying a Porsche? Do These 10 Things First
Joe Kucinski
Pixar Pals Turned Into 1-of-1 Porsches!
Michael S. Palmer
Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build
Verdad Gallardo
Genius Porsche-Themed Gifts That'll Make Any Dad or Grad Smile
Joe Kucinski
10 Used Porsches Are Selling for Way Too Cheap
Joe Kucinski
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes
Verdad Gallardo
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917
Verdad Gallardo
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 6
From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Got the manifold off. Nuts: 10x 12mm and 2x 13mm. I think the 13mm nuts were from when the engine had it's "factory" rebuild back in the early 90's for the head "gasket" issue and the mechanic probably lost two of the 12mm's!? (they're the same thread as the 12's).
The oil return tubes appear to be 3 piece aluminium. I'll post a pic to show what I mean! (just gotta get the camera from the wife). They come out without removing heads. The outer (head end) red seal is definitely knackered.
FWIW, I ordered a seal kit from autopartsway for $5 that comes with 2 red seals, 3 thin black O-rings, and a new circlip. Local dealer wanted $5 for each red seal and would have to special order them.
frankvan
89 C4
The oil return tubes appear to be 3 piece aluminium. I'll post a pic to show what I mean! (just gotta get the camera from the wife). They come out without removing heads. The outer (head end) red seal is definitely knackered.
FWIW, I ordered a seal kit from autopartsway for $5 that comes with 2 red seals, 3 thin black O-rings, and a new circlip. Local dealer wanted $5 for each red seal and would have to special order them.
frankvan
89 C4
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 6
From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Pretty sure the 4 nuts you access through the holes in the heat exchangers have to be 12 - my 12mm socket barely fit through the holes (i actually dremelled the lip on one of them so that it would fit). Can't see how you could get a 13mm socket up through the hole. (unless we're talking about something different).
Seals should be arriving via UPS today.
Seals should be arriving via UPS today.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,388
Likes: 18
From: Vancouver Island, BC , Canada
When I took off my HE's there were 4 allen nuts and 8 hex nuts. 3 of those hex nuts were 13m/m regular nuts and 5 were 12m/m copperized flange nuts. Now all 8 hex nuts are 13m/m copperized flange nuts. Sometimes it just depends on the skill & attitude of the last mechanic who was in there.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 6
From: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Pictures!
I think the "third" piece (red seal piece on right) of my oil return tube is not supposed to come off as there is no rubber o-ring to seal underneath it. The same piece on the other side (with two o-rings) is actually a slightly different diameter and won't fit on the other end of the oil tube.
I think a little gasket sealer for the non-sealed flange may be in order when re-installing.
as to the nut question, mine is an 89, maybe they changed to the allen style and 13mm later on? none of my nuts are flanged, but there are washers for each one (it'll be fun trying to balance those back onto the studs)
I think the "third" piece (red seal piece on right) of my oil return tube is not supposed to come off as there is no rubber o-ring to seal underneath it. The same piece on the other side (with two o-rings) is actually a slightly different diameter and won't fit on the other end of the oil tube.
I think a little gasket sealer for the non-sealed flange may be in order when re-installing.
as to the nut question, mine is an 89, maybe they changed to the allen style and 13mm later on? none of my nuts are flanged, but there are washers for each one (it'll be fun trying to balance those back onto the studs)
Last edited by frankvan; Jun 28, 2011 at 11:32 AM.
Banned
Joined: May 1998
Posts: 10,005
Likes: 60
From: Somewhere....
Ummm... Wow??? I have never seen that design? I just installed two-piece returns - one in my 993 engine, and have used them previously in Jen's 964 (but went with one-piece as I finished up her engine this week)... Anyway... Here are three potential issues I see straight away on that design:
On a two piece tube - the smaller OD pipe *always* goes into the head - as oil flows from from the head into the case (from a smaller OD into a larger OD). On this design, you are totally dependent on the inner seals to block against seepage..?? Hmmm....
Installation... The circlip position will demand you remove the header/exchanger, as the inner seals will have to be on the head side (see my point above)?
Movement.. With one circlip only - what's to prevent the main tube moving into the case (and there are no seals/circlips at that end?)...
Anyway - just my opinion - but I'd go with a two-piece design...
On installation - LUBE THE large O-Rings!!!
As well - the washers will stay on the nuts - just put a dab of grease on the washer before placing them on top of the nuts and running them up through the exchangers...
John
On a two piece tube - the smaller OD pipe *always* goes into the head - as oil flows from from the head into the case (from a smaller OD into a larger OD). On this design, you are totally dependent on the inner seals to block against seepage..?? Hmmm....
Installation... The circlip position will demand you remove the header/exchanger, as the inner seals will have to be on the head side (see my point above)?
Movement.. With one circlip only - what's to prevent the main tube moving into the case (and there are no seals/circlips at that end?)...
Anyway - just my opinion - but I'd go with a two-piece design...
On installation - LUBE THE large O-Rings!!!
As well - the washers will stay on the nuts - just put a dab of grease on the washer before placing them on top of the nuts and running them up through the exchangers...
John
