---------------------------------------------------------- Stratus-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 09/11/04: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 03:18 PM - Chasing an oil leak....... (Larry McFarland) 2. 04:00 PM - Re: Chasing an oil leak....... (The Meiste's) 3. 07:42 PM - Re: Chasing an oil leak....... (Larry McFarland) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 03:18:56 PM PST US From: "Larry McFarland" Subject: Stratus-List: Chasing an oil leak....... --> Stratus-List message posted by: "Larry McFarland" Hi guys, I found the "seal" between the lower redrive sprocket and forward crank leaking into the sprocket hole and on spinning up, would spread across the front face of the sprocket. I was puzzled so much oil reached the rear engine compartment firewall. It was quite a mess to clean, so the lower drive sprocket, starter flywheel and spacer were removed to expose and remove the small double donut seal on the end of the crank. Silicone RTV sealant was added behind it and then it was put back in place. White lithium grease was put on the large seal lips and the spacer was replaced. More silicone seal was added to fill between the end of the crank and the spacer. All was reassembled, adjusted and torqued per instruction. This end of the engine was dry as a bone on runup, but there was still a spray of fresh oil on the firewall. I found that the oil pressure switch that was doubled with the oil pressure sensor at the end of a Tee had cracked at the inside corner, at the end of the 1/8" pipe thread where the body of the sensor starts. Under pressure, oil would shoot out hitting the first thread and create a mist of oil back toward the firewall leaving the engine dry but all else including the muffler coated. The new oil pressure switches have been reconfigured to prevent this but they don't fit because they're a larger diameter, so a nipple, a Tee and an elbow were assembled to permit both to fit again. The elbow had to have the corners knocked off to get it to clear the engine case, but it worked. Teflon tape was used to lube and achieve the seal. It'd be wise to include the pressure switch in your preflight check for oil leaks as configured by Stratus or otherwise. Also found that sprocket alignment can be more easily done by using the grooves rather than the teeth as many of you probably have too. Another crisis reported without damage, Fly safe guys, Larry McFarland - reliability better at 17.5 hours. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:00:44 PM PST US From: "The Meiste's" Subject: Re: Stratus-List: Chasing an oil leak....... --> Stratus-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" Another crisis reported without damage, ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks for the info Larry, any idea why your seals were leaking so badly after only 17 hours? Have other Stratus owners also been noticing this seal leaking? Only a dab out of mine so far @ 101 hours. Kelly PS. Glad you caught the oil leak at the sensor as that could have been nasty! Do not achieve ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:42:34 PM PST US From: "Larry McFarland" Subject: Re: Stratus-List: Chasing an oil leak....... --> Stratus-List message posted by: "Larry McFarland" The front "seal" is what I'd call a nearly non-seal that allows oil to accumulate behind and the centrifugal force that bears on the oil causes it to leak past the seal o.d into the sprocket hole. I found it easy to fix by putting RTV silicone behind it and in front of it. None of the other seals were leaking. Mykal said that there is no pressure at that point so some might have trouble with it and some not. Not all Stratus Subarus were produced with the double donut seal I found. Many have only the RTV, which may be the very reason they have no leakage. That one was easy to fix, but the oil sensor was as you say potentially nasty. Larry Do not archive ----- Original Message ----- From: "The Meiste's" Subject: Re: Stratus-List: Chasing an oil leak....... > --> Stratus-List message posted by: "The Meiste's" > > Another crisis reported without damage, > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > > Thanks for the info Larry, any idea why your seals were leaking so badly > after only 17 hours? > Have other Stratus owners also been noticing this seal leaking? > Only a dab out of mine so far @ 101 hours. > > Kelly > > PS. Glad you caught the oil leak at the sensor as that could have been > nasty! > > Do not achieve > >