Oil leak around oil pressure sender adaptor

[dickbowyer]

OK I admit it - I think I am being a bit of a numpty.

Fitting SPA oil temp/pressure dual gauge.

Thread in duratec raceline oil filter housing is 1/4"NPT (on Caterham version). LMA supplied 1/4"NPT to 1/8"BSP adaptor to fit the SPA oil pressure sender. Rather nervous about screwing adaptor into aluminium housing so took it very carefully. Used sealant (blue hylomar) on thread and have tightened it as much as I dare but still get an oil leak from base of adaptor. Is it wrong sealant, too loose, or what. Should I be using copper washer? Does not look like a dowty seal would fit as surface adjacent on oil filter housing is not flat. The caterham sender I took out only had a little "grey" sealant around the thread to stop leak and was not screwed fully home.

 

Advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

Dick

Superlight SV Duratec R400

[ECR]

Hylomar is not really a thread sealant. Loctite is what you need for that. Use the type that allows disassembly (usually blue)

[dickbowyer]

Doh , there we go, I knew it was something blue. Is Halfords still open? Thanks for advice.

 

Dick

Superlight SV Duratec R400

[MikeE]

had exactly this problem on my duratec when i built it 3.5 years ago. I removed the adapter and put ptfe tape around it, threaded it back in and it hasn't leaked again in 3.5 years and 4000 track miles.

 

 

 

 

R400 Duratec Build and Modification Pictures

here

[dickbowyer]

Thanks Mike for ptfe suggestion. Now in a quandary whether to go to Halfords or Plumbase........

 

Dick

Superlight SV Duratec R400

 

Edited by - dickbowyer on 31 Oct 2007 20:57:49

[Bricol]

Tighten it a bit more (as I assume it is a tapered fitting) . . .but not too much . . .

 

Bri

[dickbowyer]

Call me chicken but don't fancy cost of new housing and it really does just feel tight enough

 

Dick

Superlight SV Duratec R400

[I.Mupferit]

I used a copper washer on mine and it has never leaked again.

 

Not keen on using PTFE tape in an oilway personally as it will break up when screwed in and I would hate the thought of bits getting to the bearings. Probably being paranoid but rather be safe than sorry.

 

Brent

(aka Arfur Nayo)

 

2.3 DURATEC SV Reassuringly Expensive

R 417.39 😬

 

Edited by - Brent Chiswick on 31 Oct 2007 22:47:44

[Neil_K]

Copper washer stopped my persistent drip too. But make sure you get the exact size washer. I tired to get away with one v. slightly too big at first and still had it dripping.

 

Where am I?

[Kevsta]

Not sure whether it is the correct use of it but Loctite do a PTFE thread sealant as a liquid. I used it on my CH recently and it is so much easier than PTFE tape. It is sold in plumber's shops...'though I bought mine from screwfix here

 

Having just looked at it the description says for use on oil, wter and air!

[MikeE]

 

I had exactly the same scenario and tightening wasn't a sensible option. PTFE tape will be fine but as Brent says avoid getting any in the oil - if you only put it on the upper part of the thread you'll be fine. As I say mine did 4,000 hard track miles and my bearings were fine - having said that I've sold the engine now so it might well have grenaded itself since 😬

 

R400 Duratec Build and Modification Pictures

here