Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose end

I have a new piece of 3/8" Gates oil line from the banjo on the oil tank. Clamp is tighter than tight. I'm getting some oil seeping from the top of the oil line, where it mates to the oil feed banjo fitting. Fitting is polished stainless. I've heard or may even start to think that the newer 3/8" ID oil line may be slightly too large. I do recall having to give it a good push going onto the banjo. I think 5/16" ID may be too difficult to fit.

The leak is not bad but enough to make me worry. I have not started the bike yet as I noticed the oil weeping a few days ago. I'll wipe the oil, really tighten down that clamp even more, wait a day to see if more oil appears and so on.

I'm just going to wait until the first break in so I don't have to drain my oil twice. I'll try 5/16" ID after I do the first oil change after the first run in.

I just wanted to see if any of you had a similar issue with new oil lines.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

Coco said:

Clamp is tighter than tight. I'm getting some oil seeping from the top of the oil line, where it mates to the oil feed banjo fitting.

Click to expand...

Mine is exactly the same.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

L.A.B. said:

Coco said:

Clamp is tighter than tight. I'm getting some oil seeping from the top of the oil line, where it mates to the oil feed banjo fitting.

Click to expand...

Mine is exactly the same.

Click to expand...

I need to remedy this as it is driving me crazy. A fresh build should not leak. I recall the original herring bone line I had weeped a little bit but not enough to run down the line and drip on the floor like the new line is doing and I don't think I could clamp it tighter. I wonder if a second hose clamp would work. Two clamps better than one perhaps.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

It's a common place for Norton incontinence and easy to blame the pipe. Mine is 10mm (even bigger) and seals fine but what does leak are the banjo to filter nut washers. Cure (or in my case it is) glue one washer to the bolt with thin layer of sealer (not going to tell you what I use or you'll all go mad at me!) same thin layer on other washer and tank joint faces and now it never leaks. A lot gets wiped away but enough remains to do the job.Just a thought as the oil builds up on the pipe to stub joint a that looks like where the leak was on mine. Not saying yours isn't leaking there but it could be something else. I even tried flatting the banjo for a perfect seal but didn't work, new washers etc. Copper would be better.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

Keith1069 said:

It's a common place for Norton incontinence and easy to blame the pipe. Mine is 10mm (even bigger) and seals fine but what does leak are the banjo to filter nut washers. Cure (or in my case it is) glue one washer to the bolt with thin layer of sealer (not going to tell you what I use or you'll all go mad at me!) same thin layer on other washer and tank joint faces and now it never leaks. A lot gets wiped away but enough remains to do the job.Just a thought as the oil builds up on the pipe to stub joint a that looks like where the leak was on mine. Not saying yours isn't leaking there but it could be something else. I even tried flatting the banjo for a perfect seal but didn't work, new washers etc. Copper would be better.

Click to expand...

Washers and banjo are brand new. You know, I never thought the banjo would leak since eveything is brand new and torqued on there pretty good. I'll run my finger up near the washers and see after work.

I figure how could oil move upwards on the line and leak at the banjo stub/oil line joint without the bike even being started yet? It may be weeping out where you say since I can't get a good look back there.

After I do first run in I'll use a bit of RTV between the washer, banjo and tank surface. Good tip and thanks!

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

Problem solved.

The banjo sealing washers were the culprit. Leaking on the tank/washer surface. I could not see the leak so figured itw as my line weeping. I could not even feel oil with my fingers so I for sure thought the line. Anyway, I tightened the shit out of that banjo and there is no more oil.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

Sometimes it helps if you anneal the copper washers before use

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

Seeley920 said:

Sometimes it helps if you anneal the copper washers before use

Click to expand...

Do they make them in copper? Mine looks like aluminum.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

I've used copper ones, both on the Seeley and the featherbed (wfhich uses a commando banjo) so yes, they are available

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

I have aluminium ones on mine...they were weeping so I sprayed them down the the copper gasket maker and they sealed right up.

I keep a can of it handy, right next to the Thread-Eze Ultra, the Scothkote and the bottle of Jim Beam.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

rvich said:

I have aluminium ones on mine...they were weeping so I sprayed them down the the copper gasket maker and they sealed right up.

I keep a can of it handy, right next to the Thread-Eze Ultra, the Scothkote and the bottle of Jim Beam.

Click to expand...

No garage should be without a bottle of Jimmy Beam or Crazy Bird.

Mine are both aluminum as well and I'll be searching for copper ones now.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

rvich said:

I have aluminium ones on mine...they were weeping so I sprayed them down the the copper gasket maker and they sealed right up.

I keep a can of it handy, right next to the Thread-Eze Ultra, the Scothkote and the bottle of Jim Beam.

Click to expand...

a bottle of Wild Turkey is a staple in my toolbox, if a sledge hammer or duct tape can't fix something, the bourbon usually can

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

I have used both copper and aluminum ones, The copper seem to seal better for me. No sealer needed.

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

I got a set for my 69 return banjo which is specific to that year, and Old Britts sent me copper ones. I'm sure Ella would tell you which ones they have for the feed banjo if you call. I would prefer copper, they seem to last longer too.

Dave
69S

Re: Oil feed line. 3/8" or 5/16"? Oil weeping out of hose en

Leak is back but it takes a day now to pool up a bit and not a 1/2 hour like before. I'll try RTV smeared on the mating surface, if that doesn't cure it then I'll order some copper washers.