Thread Sealer?

[exbass94]

Pretty soon I'm taking my tractor out of winter storage and get it ready for spring. I noticed it started leaking oil from the oil level sensor while sitting all winter. I plan on removing the sensor, applying some sort of thread sealant, and reinstalling it. What kind of sealant should I use?

 

[Hardwareman]

Just ordinary teflon tape should do it.




Allen

 

[MAKG]

If it's a one-wire sensor, you MUST use a conductive sealant, or no sealant at all. Not Teflon. Or else just replace it with a copper pipe plug 'cause it will have the same function.

If it's pipe threaded, you can CAREFULLY tighten it down. If it's straight-threaded, you need a new gasket.

 

[exbass94]

I'm almost positive it is not a one-wire sensor and it has 2 wires going to it. I can't simply block it off with a plug because the engine won't start if it senses no oil. I also do not know how to tell the difference between pipe thread and straight-threaded. I heard that normal teflon-tape breaks down over time if it comes in contact with oil, and that I should use "yellow" teflon tape, not white.

 

[Hardwareman]

I don't know about the yellow or white teflon deal but I do have a pressure washer that has that sensor as well. I think mine broke though because even when the oil is full the engine will not start with the wire plugged.

I have two wires going into there, one's black and one's red. I needed to unplug the black wire in order for the engine to start and run. As soon as I plug the black wire in, the engine will not even start.

Now, since this is a tractor I could'nt tell you but I would guess it's set up the same way.




Allen

 

[exbass94]

Well I just got home and looked at the tractor and it turns out it has 4 wires going to the sensor- red, blue, white, and orange. I really don't want to mess with that and screw up my electrical system. Also, I don't want to disable anything on this tractor and I want everything working perfectly. I plan on keeping this tractor for the next 30+ years. I especially don't want to disable an important safety feature such as this too. It's designed so that if there were a major oil leak while the engine is running, the engine would shut down immediately. I'm gonna go with my original plan of just using some sort of sealant on the threads and reinstall it. I'll ask my boss what he recommends on Wednesday.

 

[MAKG]

If it's not case grounded, you can use any sealant you want on it and not screw up its function.

But do make sure it isn't the sensor itself that is leaking before you go trying to seal it up. Teflon tape works for pipe threads, not straight threads. If it is straight-threaded, it will have some sort of gasket sealing it. Many Ranger engines have this "feature," if you want an example. Ultra black RTV will seal oil, but it may make it rather difficult to ever remove again.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I heard that normal teflon-tape breaks down over time if it comes in contact with oil, and that I should use "yellow" teflon tape, not white.

I use white for where the hydraulic lift hoses go into the pump (I don't have any remote outlets) on my tractor, I have never have had them leak. Only things on the tractor I could call a "sensor" are the temp gauge in the theromostat housing and the oil pressure gauge on the side of the block, both are sealed with white teflon tape, and it works great. They are purely mechanical and have no wiring associated with them, gotta love 1940's-50's tech

Just out of curiosity, what kind of tractor do you have? I have two Allis-Chalmers (1947 C and 1953 WD-45) and a 1946 John Deere B.

 

[exbass94]

Haha, I'm don't have some big farm tractor, something more like this:

This one isn't mine, it's just some pic I found online. Mine looks almost exactly like it. I have a 1990 Toro Wheel Horse 312-8. It has a 12 hp Kohler Magnum engine and 8-speed manual tranny. It's one tough beast.

Oh yea and MAKG, yes I'm positive it's leaking from the sensor. I spent literally hours cleaning the tractor before I put it away for the winter and it's spotless, no oil anywhere on the engine. I can clearly see where it's dripping from. I'll see what kinds of sealers we have at work and ask my boss which one I should use. Thanks a lot for the help guys.

 

[MAKG]

If the sensor itself is leaking, you need a sensor, not a sealer.

 

[exbass94]

It seems to be leaking from around the threads, like all around the edge of the sensor is a little wet/slimy. So I figured if I put some sealer on the threads, that should do it. You still think I should get a sensor? This thing might be a real pain to find, hopefully I'll have time to go to the parts store this weekend. (and hopefully they'll have it!)

 

[metalmacguyver]

Haha, I'm don't have some big farm tractor, something more like this:

This one isn't mine, it's just some pic I found online. Mine looks almost exactly like it. I have a 1990 Toro Wheel Horse 312-8. It has a 12 hp Kohler Magnum engine and 8-speed manual tranny. It's one tough beast.

Oh yea and MAKG, yes I'm positive it's leaking from the sensor. I spent literally hours cleaning the tractor before I put it away for the winter and it's spotless, no oil anywhere on the engine. I can clearly see where it's dripping from. I'll see what kinds of sealers we have at work and ask my boss which one I should use. Thanks a lot for the help guys.

I hear ya. Those old 8 speed wheel horse tractors were some of the last good ones made.

There are some forums out there for those tractors too. Check them out for some other info.

 

[MAKG]

It seems to be leaking from around the threads, like all around the edge of the sensor is a little wet/slimy. So I figured if I put some sealer on the threads, that should do it. You still think I should get a sensor? This thing might be a real pain to find, hopefully I'll have time to go to the parts store this weekend. (and hopefully they'll have it!)

No, if it's leaking past the threads, the sensor itself is NOT leaking.

Which is it?

 

[exbass94]

Seems to be leaking past the threads.

 

[Will]

Pretty unusual for pipe threads to suddenly start leaking. See if it's loose. If not, might need a sensor.

In practice, grounding isn't an issue with Teflon tape. The threads cut the tape. The yellow tape is for natural gas piping.