Oil pressure gauge leak

[Crimson Thunder]

About a month ago i finally installed the new center console(along with fixin alot of Bubba)that my wife got me for Christmas. I noticed some oil on top of my radio coming from the oil line going to the gauge at the 90 degree fitting. I used some Teflon tape on the threads and reinstalled it. About a week later I had to remove the radio and noticed some more oil on it,so i used some RTV on the threads of the oil line. BIG MISTAKE,now i have a fairly new Pioneer Radio full of oil. I took the whole cluster out today to make sure it wasn't the gauge itself leaking and i"m confident it is the line fitting giong to the gauge.

What would you guys recommend to seal this leak? My next choice is to use some Permatex#2 on the threads(which are not stripped at all).What do you guys think?

 

[TimAT]

IIRC, the compression fitting is not a normal brass fitting. The ferrule is a little tapered on one end. Check the line carefully too- it may have a crack in it.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Thanks Tim, I'll have to go and check the ferrul,maybe the P.O. put it in backwards.

 

[GTR1999]

As Tim said those are not common ferrules, I tried several before just buying the line kit from Paragon to solve a leak on the engine end.

 

[bagger]

I agree with GTR1999, I replaced the gauges in my 68 a couple years back and put a new oil line in with it and haven't had a bit of trouble.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Just ordered the new line from Paragon. The picture of the ferrule on their website looked nothing like the one on my car. I guess at some point in time the P.O. put in a copper line for some reason. Should i put any kind of thread sealant on the new line or will it be OK dry?

 

[shrekviper]

It may get compressed/deformed each time it's reinstalled. I had he same problem in my '69, but didn't figure it out until I found oil on the carpet on the drivers side (~250 mi road trip) and all I could smell was oil in the car. A new line is the safest way to go. '69s had a oil pressure pipe from the factory though (UPC12-C4). I went with a plastic replacement because that was all that was on hand at the moment.

On the other hand, I now have an excuse to replace the carpet and put in some sound deadener/heat shield underneath it.

You're lucky you found it early...

Good Luck.

 

[bagger]

I put a little Permatex Form a gasket on the threads of the oil gauge just to be safe and haven't had any leaks or seepage.

 

[TimAT]

shrekviper- keep a close eye on that nylon line -- especially where it comes from the block up to the bracket on the head just behind the exhaust manifold/header. The heat will make that line brittle in no time. That's why GM used a steel line from the block to the bracket. IT's amazing how much oil will come from a 1/8" line at 35 PSI.

 

[shrekviper]

TimAT,
Thanks. I plan on changing it out when I get a chance. It was the only repair available in the time I needed it. Nothing should be leaking now since it's been in storage for the past 6 months...

Sharkcar71,
My brand new stereo was soaked as well...it was also a Pioneer. Mine was copper/brass as well. Maybe we were both duped by the same mechanic...

 

[TimAT]

Guys, I think Paragon has a complete line kit- lines, fittings, bracket, the whole thing for about $40.. Steel line from the bottom too- with the correct bends even.

 

[shrekviper]

I saw the kit there too. I'll be getting one once I get my car back out of storage...thanks.

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Well the good news is the radio survived. With that much oil in it i was sure it was toast. I was kind of looking forward to updating my factory radio and putting it back in. Now i just need to figure out why the lights in the gauge cluster don't work.(although the lights in the tach/speedo are fine)

 

[Crimson Thunder]

No wonder it leaked. Check out the difference in the ferrells.