2 questions; operating temperature and oil leaks

[MikeOConnor]

Ok -- I've found my leak, now I need guidance on what it is, and how to fix it. This post is the first of 3, each with a picture of the offending critter.

Natcherly, the engine in my PT bears only a vague resemblance to the engine in the Deutz manual I got with the tractor, and so I haven't a clue what I'm looking at.

See the little yellow arrow? It's pointing at my oil leak -- basically between those two nuts. The one on the engine (right) side seems fine, it's the join between that one and the brass nut on the left side that's weeping...

So question #1 -- what's that roundy metal thingy with the wire attached to it?

Question #2 -- the nuts are tight, so if there's oil weeping out from between them, how do I approach fixing it?

More pictures coming in the next two posts...

 

[MikeOConnor]

Here's another picture of the offending dingus, from another angle. Shows the weepy joint pretty well.

 

[MikeOConnor]

Final picture -- shows where the roundy gizmo is in relation to stuff like the oil-filler and the dipstick.

Here's another question -- see the little arrow? It's pointing at an "extra" control on the engine -- looks just like a throttle, but there's no throttle-cable attached. I wonder what that is?

 

[Gravy]

That's the sender for the oil pressure gauge. Should be an easy fix.

First, try just tightening it just a little bit. (This isn't the time for the gorilla approach.) If it's pretty loose, this may take care of it.

If it's tight, but still leaking around the threads, it's time for plan B:

Disconnect the wire, unscrew the sender and the little adapter from the block and each other. Clean all the threads with a little solvent - brake cleaner, carb cleaner, etc. (Don't spray the solvent inside the sender.)

Use a thread sealer on the threads. I use Loctite Thread Sealer with Teflon from my local NAPA. Screw them back together no more than medium tight. You don't want it to vibrate out, but it's easier to tighten it a little more later than to deal with stripped threads.

Start it up & check for leaks.

That should do it, but you may want to check it pretty regularly for the first few hours to be sure it isn't loosening up.

Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Gravy

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Gravy:
Just out of curiosity, has plan A ever worked for you?
I suppose it has for me, but I don't remember when. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I agree with your advice. Should fix it right up.

 

[Gravy]

Maybe 10% of the time. OK, maybe 5%? Would you believe 2%?...

I think it actually happened a few times during my 20 year career as an auto mechanic, but I've learned to assume it won't. In fact, I had Plan B ready to post, then added Plan A just on the off chance...

Gravy

 

[MikeOConnor]

<grin>

I kinda gave it a wiggle (Plan A hopes sprang into my heart too) before i sent the post. It's pretty tight, and I was edgy about those stripped threads. I'll give Plan B a try.

Thanks!

 

[tracdoc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You don't want it to vibrate out, but it's easier to tighten it a little more later than to deal with stripped threads )</font>

Sage advice, Gravy. A little too tight... and it's time for a new O/P sender at best, or maybe a Heli-Coil, or....dooohhh!!

 

[Gravy]

And installing a Heli-Coil without getting chips into the oil system gets REALLY interesting! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MikeOConnor]

The job's done (Plan B).

Question - i don't have the thread-sealing goo here at the farm (it's on the list for the next time into town) so I used teflon thread-sealing tape, which is really more aimed at plumbing jobs. Ought to hold up ok though, right? The machine's nice n'dry right now. I'll go abuse it a little tomorrow and see how things go...