Coolant Leak at Oil Filter Housing Console

[dr bob]

Tolerances changed, especially when I ran out of hair to catch the dribbles. Meanwhile... Ziploc bags with a paper towel inside, plus a rubber band or maybe a cable tie.


Neighbor's kids visiting for the holidays has a dry-ice blast biz a few hours away. Offers a high-ceramics content clear under-car treatment after cleaning. Looks way too nice for anything in the "preservation" class.

[951tom]

This is why it takes me so long to fix anything... As I worked to get to the oil filter console, I was horrified to see rust on this little bracket that holds the brake sensor wire clip up where the sway bar bracket mounts. So ended up blasting and powder coating both sides. So satisfying

I'm missing this bracket or don't remember ever seeing it. Where exactly does it mount? Is there one on both sides of the car?

Thanks!
Tom
'87 951

[Tom]

This is why it takes me so long to fix anything... As I worked to get to the oil filter console, I was horrified to see rust on this little bracket that holds the brake sensor wire clip up where the sway bar bracket mounts. So ended up blasting and powder coating both sides. So satisfying

I'm missing this bracket or don't remember ever seeing it. Where exactly does it mount? Is there one on both sides of the car?

Thanks!
Tom
'87 951

Can't say I remember it being there either. It's sandwiched between the frame and the main front sway bar mounting bracket -- one on each side. It's sole purpose seems to be to hold the clip for the brake wear sensor harness.

bracket.jpg (125.16 KiB) Viewed 458 times

[Thom]

I am not sure all cars had these brackets. I don't think I have seen a later car (89+) with them.

[Tom]

I am not sure all cars had these brackets. I don't think I have seen a later car (89+) with them.

It's kind of a silly bracket. Hard to believe they could not have found an existing place to install a plastic harness clip...

Got the oil filter console off today. What an epic pain and mess. I could not for the life of me undo the upper oil fitting on the console. In my own 20+-year-old instructions for doing this job, I apparently cut it off last time I did this. A quick check showed the hose is now about $400, so I wasn't eager to cut it this time. Instead, I opted to pull the headers off and remove the console from the top (after going through all the work to take it from the bottom ). Taking the headers off gave me room to get at the oil line fitting with huge 32 and 27mm wrenches, which finally allowed me to get the console out. No obvious signs of Dexcool damage like the pictures I've seen on the Internet, though the rubber on the gasket was clearly showing its age. This was a Victor Reins gasket, making me wonder if it's worth springing for a real PCNA replacement this time. On the other hand, if the new one lasts as long as the old one, I'll be 80 by the time it leaks, and probably not fixing it myself... These parts have been on the motor since installed in 2008, and have clearly lost their new-motor look. More grease and grime than I expected.

leak point.jpeg (1.07 MiB) Viewed 428 times

Based on where the leak was and the look of this rubber worn away, I'd say this was the leak point...

IMG_6056.jpeg (2.31 MiB) Viewed 428 times

Sway bar and headers came off too. Lots to put back together, once parts arrive anyway.

IMG_6062.jpeg (2.44 MiB) Viewed 428 times

In the meantime, everything needs to be cleaned. A lot...

[whalenlg]

I apparently cut it off last time I did this. A quick check showed the hose is now about $400, so I wasn't eager to cut it this time.

Cutting was my only option the 1st time through. Since I had leaks, it didn’t really matter. But I did have both lines rebuilt for maybe $200.

Now I have the AN connectors / lines so cost to repair will be much lower if there is a next time.

Just some other options if people end up in the same dilemma

[951tom]

Tom, thanks for posting that picture. Interesting as I've never seen that one before.

I had to replace my oil cooler hoses too and recall stubby 27mm & 32mm wrenches made the job easier.

Tom
'87 951

[Tom]

Tom, thanks for posting that picture. Interesting as I've never seen that one before.

I had to replace my oil cooler hoses too and recall stubby 27mm & 32mm wrenches made the job easier.

Tom
'87 951

Never seen which part? I have stubby's (and a custom stubby flare nut cut from a cheap 32mm box end wrench). I just didn't have the hand strength to break it free that way. Once I had the header off, I was able to flip the console over and get the long wrenches on it with a good pulling angle. Even then I had to pull will all my might (such as it is). When I put it back together, I might see about making some custom long tools just for this -- if possible...

[951tom]

Tom, thanks for posting that picture. Interesting as I've never seen that one before.

I had to replace my oil cooler hoses too and recall stubby 27mm & 32mm wrenches made the job easier.

Tom
'87 951

Never seen which part? I have stubby's (and a custom stubby flare nut cut from a cheap 32mm box end wrench). I just didn't have the hand strength to break it free that way. Once I had the header off, I was able to flip the console over and get the long wrenches on it with a good pulling angle. Even then I had to pull will all my might (such as it is). When I put it back together, I might see about making some custom long tools just for this -- if possible...

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I've never seen that bracket holding the brake sensor wire clip.

Tom
'87 951

[Tom]

Still waiting on parts, so have been busy cleaning parts in the meantime. I'll post these parts in the 3D printing section soon. The oil filter cover might be useful just to keep debris out of the engine any time the filter is off while working on the motor. The big flat block-off plate (and gasket) can likewise be bolted to the block to clean it without getting debris and cleaning solution in the engine....