Lower balance shaft rear seal.

[James0]

All I can say is ****. The engine was oil tight a few days ago, now it's an environmental disaster. I'm surprised Greenpeace aren't protesting outside my house.
It must have known I'd bought some new engine mounts. I guess I should be glad I haven't fitted them yet.

 

[scam75]

Never much fun owning the Exxon Valdez.........

 

[dlknight]

How bad is it? I looked at mine when I did the front end reseal a few months ago and although it was damp with oil it didn't appear to be pouring out and looks an absolute pig to get to with the engine in the car (although from reading posts on rennlist I gather it is entirely possible to reseal it with the engine in situ). The upper balance shaft cover in contrast is much easier to reseal.

I've heard some people on rennlist have used a good sealant applied to the outside of the rear seal with some success without the need to dismantle the cover.

 

[Waylander]

I've heard some people on rennlist have used a good sealant applied to the outside of the rear seal with some success without the need to dismantle the cover.

that works but its a bit messy, my car had already been gummed up with black RTV when I got it, and guess what it still is, its a real pain in the $%^& to get at and you have to take all the front off again to get it off,

I replaced my top one with a nitrile seal so it shoukd last a bit longer, there is no real pressure in there so RTV works a treat

 

[PSH]

An old trick when the big 'O' ring has completely fallen apart is to find a bigger ID 'O' ring that can fit in the gap now available when prising the end cap as far back as it will go. You need an 'O' ring that's a good fit over the end cap sides, can fit over t5he end cap flange and is thick enough to force the cap back when squeezed into the gap available. Hopefully, you get the general idea, I had mine like this for some years before I rebuilt the engine, it still leaked a little, but much less than when it was pouring out before. IMHO, to do this properly, it's is an engine out job only, no matter what may be stated on other forums.

Pete

 

[James0]

Cheers all. I'd say it's bad enough to fail an MOT. The little aluminium plug is completely loose, does anybody know the dimensions of the oring?
I'm doing the belts and engine mounts anyway but I'm not overly happy having the engine open like that whilst still in the car. I'm a bit worried about keeping dirt out.

 

[PSH]

I can't recall the size but IIRC all I did was use the normal 'O' ring for that seal as supplied by Porsche and force it on

 

[robdimond]

I sealed mine with RTV about 8 years ago when I did a front end reseal. Has proved a perfectly adequate repair, my judgement was that it was lower risk than removing the balance shaft housing and replacing the O-ring. Will do it properly at some point in the future when the car is suitably in bits.

 

[Waylander]

not fortune from Porsche, for the correct seal,
and if you want to try forcing another o ring in the end I would just go buy a box of cheap ones from Aldi or Lidl all nitrile and £4 a box

999 701 875 40 £2.45

and i agree I would be worried about ingress of dirt/grit as you have to take off the belts, rear covers, power steering pump, front housing which will involve more new seals, balance the engine as the OS engine mount and bracket will have to come off too and possibly the steering shaft,

and for those that struggle with Locktite 574, slap it on then spread it with a foam mini roller you need so little, honestly

 

[James0]

Well I finished early today, had another look and glued an oring in place with high temperature sealant. I'll give it the 24 hours to cure and see how it goes.
It's probably a better solution than the original oring, if it leaks I'll change the oring and use sealant when I do the engine mounts, belts, front hubs etc etc.
Thanks all.