Cheap Fix For O-Ring Leak

2018 - Volume #42, Issue #3, Page #34

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Ben Wagner faced a $2,000 bill to fix a leak around the dipstick on his 7.3 Power Stroke Ford truck until a friend shared a tip. All he needed was a 20-gauge shotgun bore brush and a piece of string.
  “My Ford dealer said he needed to pull the engine to remove the oil pan to do the job,” says Wagner. “That’s because when you remove the flange nut on the dipstick bulkhead, the bulkhead will drop into the oil pan. Instead I used the brush and string to retain the bulkhead.”
  Wagner and his friend aren’t the only ones using this idea to save money. Videos on YouTube walk viewers through the process (see video at FARMSHOW.com). The fix starts with removal of the starter. Wagner then removes the 10 mm bolt that fastens the dipstick to the side of the valve cover and removes the dipstick.
  “I tie heavy braided fishing line to the end of the brass barrel cleaning brush and push the brush into the dipstick opening,” explains Wagner. “Once it is in far enough to give me resistance when I pull back on it, I remove the flange nut from the threaded neck of the bulkhead.”
  Once the flange nut has been passed over the bore brush and string, Wagner is able to jiggle the bulkhead loose, yet retaining it with the bore brush.
  The common cause of leakage at the dipstick is a leaking O-ring. As the O-ring gets oil on it, it can swell up and jump out of the groove. As the bulkhead is loosened, the O-ring may fall off and be easily removed, just as the flange nut was.
  “If the O-ring or parts of it stick, I use a dental pick to clean out the groove,” explains Wagner. “Once I get the O-ring off, I use carburetor cleaner to clean off the bulkhead. You want to get it as grease-free as possible.”
  Once the bulkhead is clean and dry, Wagner slips a new O-ring over the string and brush and the neck of the bulkhead. After working it into the groove, he pulls the bulkhead back into place with the neck at the original angle and threads on the flange nut.
  “You want to snug up the flange nut, but the bulkhead is machined brass, so don’t over-tighten,” says Wagner. “Replace the fastening bolt, dipstick and starter, and you’re done.”
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ben Wagner, 56 Gornick Lane, Whitehall, Mont. 59759 (ph 406 287-2268 or 406 490-9114; info@summitvalleyturf.com).

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Cheap Fix For O-Ring Leak FARM SHOP Repairs Ben Wagner faced a $2 000 bill to fix a leak around the dipstick on his 7 3 Power Stroke Ford truck until a friend shared a tip All he needed was a 20-gauge shotgun bore brush and a piece of string “My Ford dealer said he needed to pull the engine to remove the oil pan to do the job ” says Wagner “That’s because when you remove the flange nut on the dipstick bulkhead the bulkhead will drop into the oil pan Instead I used the brush and string to retain the bulkhead ” Wagner and his friend aren’t the only ones using this idea to save money Videos on YouTube walk viewers through the process see video at FARMSHOW com The fix starts with removal of the starter Wagner then removes the 10 mm bolt that fastens the dipstick to the side of the valve cover and removes the dipstick “I tie heavy braided fishing line to the end of the brass barrel cleaning brush and push the brush into the dipstick opening ” explains Wagner “Once it is in far enough to give me resistance when I pull back on it I remove the flange nut from the threaded neck of the bulkhead ” Once the flange nut has been passed over the bore brush and string Wagner is able to jiggle the bulkhead loose yet retaining it with the bore brush The common cause of leakage at the dipstick is a leaking O-ring As the O-ring gets oil on it it can swell up and jump out of the groove As the bulkhead is loosened the O-ring may fall off and be easily removed just as the flange nut was “If the O-ring or parts of it stick I use a dental pick to clean out the groove ” explains Wagner “Once I get the O-ring off I use carburetor cleaner to clean off the bulkhead You want to get it as grease-free as possible ” Once the bulkhead is clean and dry Wagner slips a new O-ring over the string and brush and the neck of the bulkhead After working it into the groove he pulls the bulkhead back into place with the neck at the original angle and threads on the flange nut “You want to snug up the flange nut but the bulkhead is machined brass so don’t over-tighten ” says Wagner “Replace the fastening bolt dipstick and starter and you’re done ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ben Wagner 56 Gornick Lane Whitehall Mont 59759 ph 406 287-2268 or 406 490-9114; info@summitvalleyturf com

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