ARGH! Leak!

[acbrock]

So I started my car this morning and let it run for about 15 minutes.  I needed to move it a slight bit so I can get better access to the door.  about 15 minutes in a noticed a leak near the Drivers door.  Since I my dash is not all together yet it was pretty easy to trace to the Oil Gage in the dash.  Since I have had these out to repair, any one have a good guess if, I just did not tighten the oil line into the gage or did I break that line?    Guess the question is I thought maybe I was a little rough on the line but when I got it back in I got a pressure reading.  Just curious if I could still get a pressure reading and have destroyed the line so it I needs to be replaced or just tightened?
Thanks
Aaron

[Cees Klumper]

Depending on much was leaking out, it could just need to be snugged up.

[rwmastel]

Aarons oil line.

[acbrock]

Haha!  I wish!  I could have a fleet of Pagoda's if I had an oil line like that!

But.. I was going to get in and tighten it up today.  Should or Could I use any pipe thread stuff or liquid electrical tape to fill any Knicks in the metal?  Or is it a clean metal and if it leaks it is a replace the whole line?
Thanks
A

[Leester]

On my 280SL I believe that is a steel line. Since I too am working on the instruments, I have fastened and unfastened that connection many time (10mm wrench if I recall). I think you would have to have been VERY rough with it to cause a break in the line but I suppose its possible. I think its more likely that you don't have it snugged up or possibly cross threaded it. Snugging mine up did not require much force with the wrench. I can hand tighten mine then just a tad more with the wrench and I can feel it bottom out.

I don't think you could patch the line but would have to replace if indeed the line is cracked.

If I recall that is a hard line that joins with a black, kind of plastic (forget what they call that stuff) line in the engine compartment. Is it possible you cracked or broke that?

[acbrock]

Ok so finally had some time today... So read some old posts and pulled out the Tach to get to the back on the Instruments.  Removed then assembled the oil.  With a little wrench I got in there and tightened it up WAAAAAY more than I did the first time!  Ran it again and leak is gone!  Wahooo.  But now the tach won't work.  Pulled the tach and it is turned so I think I just again, did not tighten it down enough.    So I think I should be good.  Unfortunately when reading the old posts, I mixed up the 2 lines to the Cluster.  I thought the Oil was the fragile one, not the Temp.  So I might have killed that one.  It is cold here today and I am working outside so running it for about 3 minutes I registered no temp on the gage.  So either I killed it or I did not run it long enough.  Had a tiny leak on on of the hoses that I temp attached with a zip tie and that started leaking so I shut it all down.  Will clamp those hoses on tomorrow and let her run for a little while.
Thanks for the help!  Off to post on the Carpet Forum because I have an extra piece of carpet I cannot figure out!

[GM]

The temp gauge line is filled with a gas, and if it leaks out the gauge won't work. Ask me how I know.
You need to send it out (with the gauge) to get repaired.
Recommend Palo Alto Speedometer, Hartmut Mees is great. Also heard good things about North Hollywood Speedometer.
Good luck

[ejboyd5]

Run it more than 3 minutes.  It might take more time than that to register.

[acbrock]

will do it tomorrow!  Just have to secure the hoses again!  I will report back!

[acbrock]

Ok took me a few more days than planned to get her running again.  Ran for about 10 minutes and the Temp Gage responded!  Whahooo.  Glad I dont need to replace.  All all Leaks are dry.  1 new leak at the connection of the Oil Line right after it gets into the engine compartment.  99.9% just need a 1/2 turn.  But overall a great day!  Off to wrestle with some carpets....