Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

[RSVRMAN]

1995 4.3L Mercruiser Sea Ray

Fired up the engine for the first time this year and a cold one at that. Oil started leaking from this part. Wondering if its just a simple compression fitting? Should I just tighten it up or order a new part? If I need a new part where could I get it? Its kind of hard to get to and would need to remove the gas tank and side paneling to get at. Also whats the thing called that's on the end?

Thanks again.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

That is the port for the oil pressure gauge and the fuel pump pressure switch. a one inch brass nipple is threaded into the block ,it goes to a "T" fitting for the gauge sender and fuel switch.
USE EXTREME CARE NOT TO BREAK IT OFF IN THE BLOCK

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

Thanks for the response. The whole unit can be rotated very easily except the hex end with the arrow that goes into the block. Should I just replace the fitting and start over to prevent it from breaking off or just snug it up? Can you get the part for this at the local HD or do you need to special order the brass?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

brass fittings from the local hardware store. The hex you refer to may just be a union .so you have the engine block, a 2 inch brass nipple, a union,a T threaded into the union, then the others.
I would CAREFULLY remove the gauge sender, then unplug the fuel switch and unscrew everything from the block.
I would make up a nipple and a T using Permatex Aviation sealant and install that into the block and tighten.
Then install the gauge sender and fuel switch again with the permatex.
Remember these threads are tapered and do not need to cranked in .usually just snug and 3/4 more.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

The hex you refer to may just be a union .so you have the engine block, a 2 inch brass nipple, a union,a T threaded into the union, then the others.

Item #15, http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...desc=WIRING+HARNESS+AND+ELECTRICAL+COMPONENTS

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

1995 4.3L Mercruiser Sea Ray

Fired up the engine for the first time this year and a cold one at that. Oil started leaking from this part. Wondering if its just a simple compression fitting? Should I just tighten it up or order a new part? If I need a new part where could I get it? Its kind of hard to get to and would need to remove the gas tank and side paneling to get at. Also whats the thing called that's on the end?

Thanks again.

Ayuh,.... Why do you have a gas valve in the block drain,..??

Looks like yer tryin' to set yerself up for a Cracked block durin' winter lay-up,...

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

Ayuh,.... Why do you have a gas valve in the block drain,..??

Looks like yer tryin' to set yerself up for a Cracked block durin' winter lay-up,...

It must be one of the new flex fuel systems.

 

[achris]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

Ayuh,.... Why do you have a gas valve in the block drain,..??

Looks like yer tryin' to set yerself up for a Cracked block durin' winter lay-up,...

Yep, I saw that too... Was wondering if anybody else was going to comment on it. If not, I would, and I am anyway...

I guess it's there in an attempt to make draining the block easier... Problem is, it's not going to drain the block at all... Scale, rust and general crap will plug that little hole... You need to remove all that bumf and go back to simple plugs, that you remove at the end of summer, and then poke the holes with a piece of wire/nail/small screwdriver so you KNOW the water is draining out....

If you don't, your first post next season will be titled "Why does my oil look like chocolate milkshake?"

Chris.....

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

Thanks for all the help guys! Last and final part to fix this spring and we're ready for boating.

Bondo - I installed the valves due to the difficulty of removing the drain plugs. I have to remove the rear bench/sun platform/side panels and even the damn gas tank to get at them. The valves are as large that would fit and allowed me to poke through them with a wire breaking any chunks and drain all the fluid.

I did run the run rv antifreeze as well, but did this and drained all the hoses. "Air doesn't freeze." Made it through the coldest MN winter I've seen and have no cracked block and I don't need to spend all day disassembling the boat.

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

Chris- valves actually are large enough in diameter I was able to get a pretty thick "coat hanger" through them.

I actually installed them last fall before I winterized and the boat still went on the lake afterwards.

I did spend ample of time poking and it beats pulling everything apart.

do appreciate the advice and I'm not recommending anyone do this, just me.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

that's what you have to do, prod and poke them to leak.
FYI----------- I heard some dealer had 2 single point drain systems fail resulting in damage.
Got to be really carefull with that system

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

brass fittings from the local hardware store. The hex you refer to may just be a union .so you have the engine block, a 2 inch brass nipple, a union,a T threaded into the union, then the others.
I would CAREFULLY remove the gauge sender, then unplug the fuel switch and unscrew everything from the block.
I would make up a nipple and a T using Permatex Aviation sealant and install that into the block and tighten.
Then install the gauge sender and fuel switch again with the permatex.
Remember these threads are tapered and do not need to cranked in .usually just snug and 3/4 more.

Is there anything else I could use instead of the Aviaton sealant? I called 4 parts stores and none can get it in stock. Would black 3m gasket maker work? It appears to have the same temperature specs or go for an RTV?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

That hex fitting at the block almost looks like a bushing. It is used to change pipe sizes... going from a larger one in the block to a small diameter nipple. It is a little tough to tell with the sender wire in the way. They should all be pipe thread sizes.

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

I'll pull it off tomorrow morning and get a better view. I thought it was a flare fitting by how it turned separately from the T fitting.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

I'll pull it off tomorrow morning and get a better view. I thought it was a flare fitting by how it turned separately from the T fitting.

Ayuh,.... It's hard to see in yer pictures,...

The hole in the block is 1/4" pipe thread,....

If it's a flare fittin', it's the wrong fittin',...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

Is there anything else I could use instead of the Aviaton sealant? I called 4 parts stores and none can get it in stock. Would black 3m gasket maker work? It appears to have the same temperature specs or go for an RTV?

Seems strange since that stuff is common to every auto parts store around here. However, pretty much anything would work - Permatex black or even plumbing pipe dope should be fine.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Leaking oil from I believe a compression fitting.

On the sealer issue, Loctite TPS (Teflon Pipe Sealer) would be good.
If that,s a two inch brass 1/8 pipe nipple, I've had them crack at the thread on the inner end with that much weight on them. I always use a steel nipple if I don't have the OEM part.