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  #1  
Old 10-09-2011, 08:57 AM
tx_jayhawk tx_jayhawk is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Olathe, KS
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Default Oil Dipstick Tube Sealant?

Are people putting teflon paste (or other) on the threads on the dipstick tube that screws into the engine (O-360)?

I seem to have a very slight leak there, and I wonder if it needs thread sealant in addition to the washer that is there.

Thanks,
Scott
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  #2  
Old 10-09-2011, 09:20 AM
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Walt Walt is offline
 
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This area is typical for seepage from what I have seen. I attribute it mainly to folks over tightening their oil fill cap and every time you take the cap off it tends to loosen the tube, especially if you didn't get the safey wire good-n-tight.

I use tight-seal on the gasket only, the treads are so coarse that I doubt putting sealant on them would do much good.
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  #3  
Old 10-09-2011, 10:08 AM
Martin Sutter Martin Sutter is offline
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I have used Proseal on all my Lycoming dip stick tubes. Make sure everything is totally free of oil residue and coat the gasket and upper part of the threads. Tighten tube and safety wire and wait 3 to 5 days before running the engine. No more leaks or loose tube for years!

On another note, most folks tighten the dip stick too hard. When they have to unscrew it a lot of torque is required to break it loose.

Martin Sutter
Building and flying RV's since 1988
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  #4  
Old 10-09-2011, 10:34 AM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
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Thanks for tip Martin. I have plastic tube and it's always wet there. I change gaskets nothing helped. Will Proseal tomorrow.
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  #5  
Old 10-09-2011, 10:46 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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This might be a better solution than "sealing goop" --

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...5&postcount=12
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  #6  
Old 10-09-2011, 10:54 AM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
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Gil,
I have something similar local A&P gave me a while ago. Still seeps, slower but seeps. Maybe it has something to do with plastic/metal combo expansion. You can not overtighten plastic tube you will strip the threads. I even used red RTV before didn't help. I think the proseal is a great idea. Will post the results.
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  #7  
Old 10-09-2011, 11:29 AM
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Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
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I've used red RTV and it seems to work, but obviously not for Vlad. Rather than the permanent seal of pro-seal, another option is an o-ring. Once compressed and then safety-wired, shouldn't leak.

greg
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  #8  
Old 10-09-2011, 11:34 AM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
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Greg,
Basically it's the same idea of custom profiled o-ring out of proseal. As Martin mentioned only top threads will be sealed. This way it's not permanent and could be easy to remove.
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  #9  
Old 10-09-2011, 02:23 PM
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flion flion is offline
 
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My engine has a metal tube, not plastic. I'm not sure if it's a Superior innovation or not but I like it and it does not leak.
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  #10  
Old 10-09-2011, 10:18 PM
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LifeofReiley LifeofReiley is offline
 
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Really the biggest problem here is overtightening the dipstick and then the effort to loosen the dipstick in return loosens the tube. A new gasket, with permatex gasket sealer and then a TIGHT wire tie should solve the problem IF you do not overtighten the dipstick.
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