CB400F Oil pressure switch slow leak

[Alexrayz]

Hello ladies and gents!

A year ago I had a slow oil leak at the oil pressure switch thread.
When running at temp I would lose a drop or two every five to ten minutes.
A degreased the oil pump housing, switch and the threads before putting
yellow loctite (577) on said threads.
It worked for 300km and started leaking again.
So I got a new switch. Turns out the OG one has replacements currently manufactured
and fitted on modern japanese cars. So yeah no need to spend 60€ for a used one on
Ebay as I previously thought.
Fitted said new switch without loctite (Wasnt mentioned in the holy book)
Then I tightened it as much as I could, that is until I got scared to strip something.
The bible does give a torque setting but impossible to fit a torque wrench in there.

3 months have passed with small rides, I washed it thoroughly for the first spring ride.
Still leaking a drop or two. 

Have you fine people run into similar issues?
I would like to read your thoughts and opinions on the matter, maybe make this topic a compendium of OPS issues and fixes, who knows!

Cheers from across the channel!

[ka-ja]

strip, clean and try again with a decent sealer, say Hylomar? rolls royce compound.

[Laverda Dave]

Or maybe a couple of turns of the white PTFE tape on the thread (just make sure it is only on the thread and not protruding on the end in case it blocks the oilway to the switch).

[Mikep328]

Is it possible that the pipe thread on the "modern" sender you purchased and the pipe thread on the moto do not match?  There are three or four different specs for "pipe threads."  I have no idea what Honda used in the '70's vs what they may be using now.  But if they don't match that could be a reason for the seep.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

It's been a while since I fitted mine FWIW I assumed they are a taper thread - if it is I would use some yellow grade PTFE tape making sure as has been said that you keep it off the end of the unit as Dave mentions.

White PTFE tap might be okay I have Yellow for when I used to do gas pipe fittings I believe it is more resistant to chemical attack.

When I fitted mine I just made sure the threads were clean and greased then just nipped them up - no tape used. Thinking about it Yellow tape might be too thick.

[Athame57]

Are you sure the source of this leak isn't actually the seal for the oil pump housing? I'm about to have mine replaced also, it was missing from the seal kit I got for a recent rebuild. Maybe it is a semi-orphaned thing? 

[Bryanj]

Its possible the housing has a small crack due to overtightening the taper thread or it could be the cover plate leaking, nurse julie does O ring kits for the pump

[Alexrayz]

Hey everyone,

I haven't taken a look yet, I have been mainly investigating on the web. Will keep you updated

Cheers

[Alexrayz]

Hey everyone! I finally got to it.

I simply had the bike idle while the left cover plate was off to see where it was leaking from.
Surprise surprise it was the oil pressure switch again, from the switch to pump body thread AND from the eyelet screw thread on the switch itself,.
Guess I'm up for another switch, although I am not sure about which one to pick anymore.
I chose a new switch that is made today for several japanese/ asian automotive manufacturers. Honda lists it as the replacement reference for the original that was used in their 70's UJMs.
Those new switches are around 4 euros a piece, so it felt like a no brainer compared to the 40 - 70 euros originals on Ebay.
Now with the performance from the one  bought, I'm having second thought. Because the cherry on top of the crap cake is that the oil light came on like a minute or 2 after the bike was turned off.
Doesnt look like a quick switch to me, unless the oil does stay pressured well after the pump stop turning ()

Looking forward to hearing from you all. I hope you guys get good weather!

P.S. : I found out that a motorcycle that won't turn over could be in need for petrol. Whou would've thought? I was already considering taking off my carbs for a clean 

[Nurse Julie]

I stock the Genuine Honda oil pressure switch, it's £29.99 - 10% discount + whatever the post cost to you, which isn't much.

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