Secondary filter housing on Lehmann weeping diesel at bleed bolt.

[JDCAVE]

I seem to recall others have had this issue. The secondary filter housing on Lehmann I beginning to weep diesel at the bleed bolt. I believe the housing is aluminum and the bleed bolt is stainless so I suspect that it is beginning to be stripped. The setup is nearly 40 years old now.

So I see several possible fixes. 1) drill and tap for a larger size bolt, and bore new holes in the bolt. 2) Helicoil. 3) make do with teflon tape for now. 4) replace the whole system with a spin on filter and prepare new fuel lines to and from the new filters.

Advice, suggestions, options most appreciated.

Jim

 

[jgwinks]

Is there a copper, aluminum, or plastic crush washer under the bolt? Those are supposed to be one use only and should be replaced every time the bolt is loosened. I don't think many people actually do that but there is a limit to how many times they can be crushed and still seal. Replace the washer if there is one. I found some at Ace Hardware.

 

[JDCAVE]

Yes. I have found the copper crush washer, and no, I have not replaced that. I’ll give that a go. I will try and source some locally here.

Jim

 

[Bmarler]

You can anneal the copper washer and it will soften back up.
If you just can’t get it to seal, like my filter housing, I found these really great washers with o rings cast into them. Works very well, and doesn’t take as much torque to seal it like a crush washer does.

 

[JDCAVE]

Here’s the update. I took the unit off and after conferring with my machinist friends, the bleed bolt hole is certainly stripped. I guess stainless on Aluminum over 39 years, I should not be surprised.

The good news is, American Diesel has nearly identical units for $200 USD. Shipped to Point Roberts, a can of Lehmann red spray paint (Lordco) and I’m good to go.

Jim