[Ace57]

Hold on....I just realized this is oil pressure sending unit, not temp sensor.

I guess this copper line got moved around once too often in the past couple of months with dizzy replacement, MC, etc...it broke off at the manifold fitting tonight. Please see pictures. It's a SUN unit. Tube broke off right at 3/8" brass cap fitting at manifold. Pictures attached show manifold fitting stub, and cap.

Is the fitting base 2 pieces? (base into manifold & tube sits in base as compression fitting?) I can't get the center out (tube part) and don't want to mess up soft threads trying.

Maybe someone can shed some light on the easiest fix. I'm hoping I can leave threaded base in and just replace copper tube?

 

[Rick_L]

That sure looks like an oil pressure gauge line to me. Both the fittings and the location tell me that.

A mechanical water temp gauge would have a copper tube but it won't have fittings like that. The copper tube would be sealed and not serviceable.

If it was mine, I'd change it to use either an AN type hose or to a steel tubing line, the same line as you have for brake tubing. That would mean you have to change the fittings at both ends.

But back to square one, do you have an oil pressure gauge? Have you started the engine since this thing broke off? You shouldn't.

 

[Ace57]

hhaaha...hi Rick!
I think I was editing my post while you were answering.

Yes, it's the oil pressure guage (Sun)

hoping I can just replace tube....do you think Sun sells just the tube?

and of course.....I can't seem to dislodge the tube from the threaded base (if in fact it's a compression fitting)

 

[Sledgehammer]

If the line has enough length in it, you can just cut it, but a new flare on it and put it back on.

 

[mitch hennings]

You can try geasing up a small screw and drive it in the broken part and pulling it
out with vise grips But I would take the fitting out in fear of getting shaving in the motor

 

[Ace57]

Hey, Sledgehammer.....interesting idea, but that is one tiny copper line!

Do they make flare tools for that? I mean....I have a double flare kit...but not sure for THAT SMALL!......what size line is that? 1/8" ?

If this is a SUN unit, is that all it is?..........a flare fitting?

Thanks, Ace

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Ace....Most likely, your not dealing with a flared type fitting....You are dealing with a compression ferrrule....Remove the brass fitting from the block....Go to the HW store and get another one and a ferrule to fit it.

Put the new brass fitting in the block....You will then most likely have to cut the pipe back a little....Slide the nut on first, then the ferrule.....Hold the pipe in the fitting, while tightning down the nut.

Believe me, its much easier to do, than explain.

Sometimes the Auto Parts store carry lines already made up (in plastic). Which may be an easier/better way to go.

 

[Ace57]

ooooooohhh I like the sound of that..... so easy....basically a compression fitting like you would find on any (water) copper plumbing line. I know exactly what you're describing.....and I hope that's "the fix" Thanks David.

 

[Sledgehammer]

Ace....Most likely, your not dealing with a flared type fitting....You are dealing with a compression ferrrule....Remove the brass fitting from the block....Go to the HW store and get another one and a ferrule to fit it.

Put the new brass fitting in the block....You will then most likely have to cut the pipe back a little....Slide the nut on first, then the ferrule.....Hold the pipe in the fitting, while tightning down the nut.

Believe me, its much easier to do than explain.

Sometimes the Auto Parts store carry lines already made up (in plastic). Which may be an easier/better way to go.

Yea I called it a flare and meant compression. I work on transmissions for a living and can't count how many of those have broken off on us while working on the cars.

 

[Ace57]

Pulled fitting and it was (as David suggested) a ferrule compression type fitting. Mitch's idea to use a screw to pull old ferrule out came in handy too.

situation seems to be under control!

Thanks for the help:five:

Ace

 

[gman]

another option, however more spendy, is to use a braided line with AN fittings. Summit and others sells one that attaches to the guage and the fitting on the block.

 

[Ace57]

nice idea Gman....for now I picked up a new ferrule and got it working leak free with the original fittings and copper line. I'll keep that braided line in mind for the future.