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V8 oil leak from inhibitor switch

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steve thomas
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon May 09, 2016 2:22 pm

V8 oil leak from inhibitor switch

Post by steve thomas »

My gearbox has been at some unusual angles having been removed from the car with the engine. It is now leaking gearbox oil from the inhibitor switch. I changed this switch some time ago in situ, so know that the oil level is normally below this level. My assumption is that the oil has drained towards the bell-housing end of the gearbox and that this is simply a case of oil being where is would not normally be.
Having said that, should the thread on the inhibitor switch be sealed? I didn’t do that when fitting it. If so would PTFE tape be a good solution?
Thanks
Steve

classiclife
Classic Wise Man
Classic Wise Man
Posts: 1601
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:55 am
Location: Ridgewood - East Sussex
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Re: V8 oil leak from inhibitor switch

Post by classiclife »

Hello Steve,

If oil is getting past the thread, you can use PTFE tape.

Ensure there is a bit of thread showing at the end and that you wind the tape (a few turns is sufficient) in the same direction as the thread going into the auto-box; namely clockwise.

The alternative is to use a smear of air brake sealant which is excellent.

I have used both options with 100% success rate.

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

steve thomas
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon May 09, 2016 2:22 pm

Re: V8 oil leak from inhibitor switch

Post by steve thomas »

Thanks for your reply Richard. I have sealed the thread and all seems OK now. What I found was interesting though and may help other owners with intermittent leaks. The engine and gearbox are on the floor very slightly higher at the gearbox end. I couldn’t remove the inhibitor switch without a lot of oil escaping, so I raised the front of the engine by about 3 inches and then the oil level was below the switch. The implication of this is that if the thread is not sealed and you parked your car facing down a slope you would leak oil. As the switch is hard to see, it would appear the oil was leaking from the oil pan gasket in the front left corner, or from the gear change linkage. Hopefully this is helpful to someone out there.
Regards
Steve

classiclife
Classic Wise Man
Classic Wise Man
Posts: 1601
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:55 am
Location: Ridgewood - East Sussex
Contact:

Re: V8 oil leak from inhibitor switch

Post by classiclife »

Hello Steve,

Well done.

Good call & top tip; thanks for posting.

Regards.

Richard.
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

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