912 Registry :: Replacing an Engine Compartment Seal

Engine running too warm? Lots of dust in the engine bay? Does your 912 have the factory engine compartment seal between the rear center license plate panel and the chassis?

At the Tustin Thunder historic car races at El Toro Marine Base a few years ago, Speedster Wolf was in the pits talking to a racer with an early 911. He looked at the open engine compartment and pointed out there was a gap between the center rear body panel and the chassis. Speedster advised that given the shape of that center panel, heat dissipating under the engine can travel back and up into the engine compartment through the gap. Quick solution at a race track: seal the gap with duct tape.

The Porsche factory designed an elaborate rubber seal to close that gap. It's designated part number 901.505.497.20, the "rear bumper seal, center". Over the years the original seal on your 912 has probably deteriorated.

Want to replace the seal with the factory part rather than duct tape? Since you will have this part of the car opened up, do you want to fix anything else? While you're ordering the center seal, consider the condition of the outer weather seal and the two bumper guard trim pieces. Also, there should be two plastic caps that seal dirt and moisture at the top of each bumper guard (click to enlarge the thumbnails; the top photo shows the bumper guard without the center seal and bumper caps installed). Water from the engine compartment lid drain holes falls directly onto the caps.

Here's the basic procedure to replace the seal (under best conditions, expect the unexpected, of course). Installing a new seal requires the center panel to be removed. Held in place by the bumper guards and a bottom bolt to each of the side bumpers, slide the center panel directly out after removing all eight bolts. Unless your 912 is concours condition, be prepared to find grease and grime accumulated on the engine side of the center panel.

Slide the seal into place on the "L" shaped top edge of the panel, and test fit the panel back in position. After factoring in potential shrinkage, trim the rubber strip as necessary. When ready for final assembly, rubber adhesive (such as 3M High Tack Trim Adhesive) can help keep the seal in place. Locking compound on the bolt threads helps keep them free of corrosion. The photo to the bottom right shows the center panel reinstalled, with all seals and caps in place.

The Factory doesn't add unnecessary weight and complexity to their designs. With all the right parts installed, your engine can run a bit cooler, and the engine compartment can stay weathertight.

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