Oil Line question

mjmacqua · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 05:32 PM

This may sound like a silly question, but here goes.

I have a leaking connection from the return line of the oil cooler back to the engine. (steel braided lines, 10AN connector). I want to remove the line , remove the fitting that is leaking a replace it (it is a swivel 90 degree, leaking from what looks like the swivel). confirmed fitting was tight, and took it off and cleaned it, added new telfon still leaking.

Do I have to drain the oil in order to pull that line? I believe I might because the oile cooler is at or just below the oil pan level. Can someone confirm my thought?

Thanks for your help.
Mike

kitcarbp · #2 (**permalink**) 06-14-2009, 06:56 PM

When you said you "added new teflon", what do you mean exactly ???
AN connectors DONT use teflon tape or paste to seal.
They rely on the "compression" of the JIC 37 taper or Army Navy (AN) 37 deg. fitting when tightened. Make sure both male and female are AN type and you dont have mis-matched SAE 45 deg on one and 37 deg AN's, they will leak.

If you put teflon tape on the AN threads this could prevent the fitting from sealing correcly and be the source of your leak.

Not sure if you need to drain the pan , if you have t-stat in oil cooler circuit when cold perhaps oil cant empty when line is removed, depends on how its plumbed.

RodgerH · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 05:46 AM

Mike,

In case you're not familiar with AN hose ends, don't plan to just unscrew the fitting from the existing socket and screw in a new fitting. The hose will have been deformed to fit the old fitting nipple and will not seal against the new fitting. Also, some fittings have cutters on the nipples which will damage the end of the hose when you unscrew it from the socket.

To do it right, make sure your hose is long enough that you can cut it at the back of the existing fitting, which will shorten it approx. 1". You want to install the new hose end on undamaged hose.

Rodger

mjmacqua · #4 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 11:47 AM

Thanks Rodger,

I have done a number of them now and am more familiar than I ever wanted to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodgerH

Mike,

In case you're not familiar with AN hose ends, don't plan to just unscrew the fitting from the existing socket and screw in a new fitting. The hose will have been deformed to fit the old fitting nipple and will not seal against the new fitting. Also, some fittings have cutters on the nipples which will damage the end of the hose when you unscrew it from the socket.

To do it right, make sure your hose is long enough that you can cut it at the back of the existing fitting, which will shorten it approx. 1". You want to install the new hose end on undamaged hose.

Rodger

mjmacqua · #5 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 11:50 AM

I added the Telfon paste in a effort to see if that would fix the problem.

I believe the problem is the connector itself, it is a swivel and that seems to be the source of the leak (at the swivel point). I picked up a new 90 non swivel today. I will have the oil pan ready to catch any/all of the oil, not sure how much will empty out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitcarbp

When you said you "added new teflon", what do you mean exactly ???
AN connectors DONT use teflon tape or paste to seal.
They rely on the "compression" of the JIC 37 taper or Army Navy (AN) 37 deg. fitting when tightened. Make sure both male and female are AN type and you dont have mis-matched SAE 45 deg on one and 37 deg AN's, they will leak.

If you put teflon tape on the AN threads this could prevent the fitting from sealing correcly and be the source of your leak.

Not sure if you need to drain the pan , if you have t-stat in oil cooler circuit when cold perhaps oil cant empty when line is removed, depends on how its plumbed.

Dwight · #6 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 05:13 PM

I think the oil in the cooler and some in the line is all you will lose. I change one out last summer and that is all I lost.

Dwight

mjmacqua · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 06:34 AM

Thanks, I hope so. I will be doing it tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

I think the oil in the cooler and some in the line is all you will lose. I change one out last summer and that is all I lost.

Dwight

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 06:51 AM

Earl's makes a dead soft aluminum replacement "Cap" http://www.amstreetrod.com/169101ASR.php4that fits on the male nipple of the oil cooler. Often times if the sealing surfaces are damaged this will restore them. Secondly, as previously mentioned different designs of hose ends seal differently internally. The best I have found in the Ear's line are the Swivel Seal line and are the ones that use a "cutter" instead of just compression,. I fought an Earl's compression design fitting for quite a while before trying the other. The cutter design eliminates a path for the oil to weep through. It may appear as though the sealing surfaces are at fault when in actuality it is the hose leaking within the fitting.