Replace oil pressure switch or not?

[clouseau]

It's leaking. Before it was just a seep.  

So my question is it better to replace it (dealer has it for $15) to stop the leak or can I effectively stop the leak by not replacing it?

[nhmaf]

My oil pressure switch just started leaking after the rally in Vermont last week - ordered a new switch from Bob's BMW here in NH on Saturday, got it in the mail today.

For such a relatively low cost item, you may as well replace the switch (and the copper washer that it should come with) -sometimes these switches slightly seep where it is threaded into the engine case, but when they start actually leaking drops of oil, it often means that there is a crack in the plastic body, and it will only get worse.   Plus, you may lose the functionality/usefulness of the switch (telling you when there isn't enough oil circulation).   If I were on the road, many miles from home I might try to RTV it up to get by until I bought a new switch, but once I got home (or anywhere I'd plan to stay for a little while), I'd replace the switch.

My switch cost $10.66 at Max's, plus $3.00 postage .

[Yikes]

Replace it.  It's fairly inexpensive, fast and an easy job.  It definitely fixed the leak I had from there.  

[clouseau]

Thanks.  I will replace it.  When a part is that cheap, it's what I usually do, but I've been trying to be more frugal lately.  

[montmil]

...I've been trying to be more frugal lately.  

In my book, frugal and frustrated are pretty much synonymous.  [smiley=furious3.gif]

Monte

[nhmaf]

Rats!!  I thought I had the proper size thin wall deep socket for the oil pressure switch, but I don't!!   Anyone who has done this recently - is it 23mm or 24mm ?  My collection of normal increment sockets ends at 22mm, and then I have a 26mm and a 27mm...

[Bob_Roller]

It's a 24 mm .

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Do you have any SAE sockets to try?

[montmil]

Do you have any SAE sockets to try?

[smiley=thumbup.gif] An SAE will likely fit. That's what I used on the Air Injection head fittings.

Monte

[nhmaf]

I'll stop at Sears today then - my SAE sockets also stop just a bit short of the proper size, and then I've got a couple odd ball ones that are much too big.

Thanks!

[montmil]

Oh Boy!

An actual valid reason to go buy tools. I may have to try your tool time tip pretty soon. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[nhmaf]

I can't believe it - some days I have such incredible luck..  I went to Sears to get a deep 24mm socket - guess what was the ONLY one that they did not have in stock?  Of course, they DID have one packaged with a set of 9 deep metric socket for $50   (who knows, I may yet go back later).    FORTUNATELY, they did have a deep 15/16" 12-point SAE socket, which for the purposes of installing the oil pressure switch, was close enough for government work and it removed the old and installed the new one fine - though I wouldn't want to use it for high-torque situations with a 24mm nut.

Now, probably a bunch of you already know about this tool I'm about to sing the praises of, but in case you haven't - I think this is a pretty cool tool/idea:

The COOL tool that I did find nearby I also bought - and I am bringing it up here for the benefit of Monte and others who want to stretch their tool dollars as best they can.   If you are like me - you have at least 1 drawer's worth of sockets in your toolbox.  Sometimes you have the sockets in more than one drive (1/4", 3/8" 1/2") size.   Of course, this means having to buy more extensions and drives/ratchets in the corresponding sizes.   BUT WAIT, with the  CAL-VAN TOOL Twin Spin Drive Converter, one can go from 3/8" drive to 1/2" socket, or from 1/2" drive to 3/8" socket with a simple push on the captive drive end.   They also have a 1/4" to 3/8" converter.  

I bought the 3/8" to 1/2" converter and tried it with the oil pressure switch install, and it worked fine.      It wasn't super cheap ($20) but it could save you some $$ over the long run in that you can reduce the sheer number of socket sets you need to keep around to go with your ratchets/drive sizes.  Or, buy the socket sets that are on sale and use this tool to adapt them to fit the drive you already have.  I found a link to the website.

http://www.cal-vantools.com/p-8-twin-spin-drive-converter-38-12.aspx

[Barry]

I too have a sockets ratchets and extensions in all 3 sizes. What I really needed a set of converters for was so to use my 3/8" drive torque wrench with the whole range of sockets.  Picked a set up at one of the local classic bike shows.

[montmil]

...BUT WAIT, with the  CAL-VAN TOOL Twin Spin Drive Converter, one can go from 3/8" drive to 1/2" socket, or from 1/2" drive to 3/8" socket with a simple push on the captive drive end...

[smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif] Haven't I seen you on TV? Half a mo'... aren't you supposed to be, like, dead?
          OK. Send my Converter right away but only if it comes with a set of Ginsu Steak Knives.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Sometimes I've been known to channel the spirits of the deceased.

No steak knives, but if you call within the next 60 seconds I might throw in a box of "Mighty Putty"!