I've been struggling for some time with a persistent leak at the bottom of the oil tank on my D Rapide. One problem was that at some point in its life, an incorrect bolt was used in the lower rear mount. The threads must have been too long and it pushed into the tank under the thick welded-on washer. I fixed that by TIG welding all the way around the washer. The factory had originally just tacked it on in two or three places with the washer standing clear of the tank. That left a little well inside the washer where oil could still leak but would have to get past the threads of the mounting bolt. To solve that, I used some teflon tape on the threads.
That seems to have worked quite well but there has also been a leak from the banjo oil-feed fitting. The mounting bolt is now perfectly dry but the banjo is still leaking. It's not a lot, but after standing a couple of days, it's always wet and with more time, it drips on other nearby parts. I've tried various measures to cure it; a new banjo, stoning the mating surface on the tank with a very fine flat stone, new washers, tightening to the maximum that seems reasonable, sealant etc. I tried both fiber and copper washers. One problem has been in finding a suitable type of washer. The size is rather odd. The banjo diameter is about 16.7 mm, which doesn't work out to a normal imperial measurement. I am about to order some 17 mm ID copper crush washers to see if they might work. If not, I must admit I'm at a loss here. Any ideas?
Gary
That seems to have worked quite well but there has also been a leak from the banjo oil-feed fitting. The mounting bolt is now perfectly dry but the banjo is still leaking. It's not a lot, but after standing a couple of days, it's always wet and with more time, it drips on other nearby parts. I've tried various measures to cure it; a new banjo, stoning the mating surface on the tank with a very fine flat stone, new washers, tightening to the maximum that seems reasonable, sealant etc. I tried both fiber and copper washers. One problem has been in finding a suitable type of washer. The size is rather odd. The banjo diameter is about 16.7 mm, which doesn't work out to a normal imperial measurement. I am about to order some 17 mm ID copper crush washers to see if they might work. If not, I must admit I'm at a loss here. Any ideas?
Gary