The Ford Barn

Don S · 09-21-2017, 12:08 PM

My banjo housing drips a small amount of oil even when not used for awhile. I have removed and sealed all the bolts ,and they are the proper type for this installation. I removed all the oil and checked the housing for cracks, but could not find any. Is there a colored fluid that I could use to find the crack ,? Or is there an additive to the oil that might take up the gap. This is more of a nuisance than a problem, unless there is a crack that could progress, then a banjo change would be needed, a bigger job that I want to take on right now. This small amount of oil loss has not changed in the last 2000 miles.

Farrell In Vancouver · 09-21-2017, 02:33 PM

If you have removed all the oil.........tray a quart of acetone or alcohol. if there is a leak you'll see it fast. After locating the spot its a matter of choosing the best way to plug it up.
Just remember to re-install the lube before testing.

1955cj5 · 09-21-2017, 03:33 PM

Mine had a small persistent leak similar to what you describe.

I tried sealing all the bolts with Permatex#2 but that didn't stop it from leaking.

I was doing some brake work anyway so I separated the left axle housing and found just fragments of gasket material.

I cleaned it up and used "The Right Stuff" gasket maker and no more leaks...

It's a big job just for a drip, but if you happen to take it apart for another reason it's not too bad...

Jim Brierley · 09-21-2017, 03:49 PM

Your A is merely marking its spot!

Synchro909 · 09-21-2017, 04:11 PM

I have one that does the same. I suspect the PO chased the bolt holes with an ordinary tap.

Don S · 09-21-2017, 07:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks guys for your suggestions. I will try the acetone treatment,and let you know the results. We are away till middle of October,will do the test then Cheers

WHN · 09-21-2017, 07:29 PM

Ours leaves a little oil to. Check, it might be coming back from the transmission or rear main. Also mixing STP with the 600 w oil could help. I have heard some folks use 50/50, some say straight STP. We use 50/50. The last 600w oil I purchased from Mac's looks and feels like STP. Enjoy.

cjkohnast · 09-22-2017, 06:54 AM

Mine had a seep not a leak. Clean it very well and give it several coats of rustolum. Rustolum is an oil base paint. Dry as a bone

wrndln · 09-22-2017, 07:15 AM

I had a persistent slow leak from the bolt area in a 7 tooth steering column. I used 600W oil and tried to seal the bolts well with Permatex sealer - twice. Nothing worked. I then had an idea of using some heavy cotton thread and wrapping it around many times just under the bolts heads. It worked great to stop the leak! I am thinking of doing the same things on at least the lower bolts of the differential when I get to it.
Rusty Nelson

duke36 · 09-22-2017, 11:11 AM

We've had good success with the Permatex thread sealer with PTFE on the bolt threads and heads

Jim Brierley · 09-22-2017, 11:18 AM

Don't use straight STP, it is not a lubricant.

Fullraceflathead · 09-22-2017, 01:08 PM

It's a Territorial thing Model A's just do.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-22-2017, 01:09 PM

I don't get EXCITED about a nickel or quarter size spot & the oil NEVER got LOW, in 8 YEARS & 12,000 Miles.
Bill Whatmeworry?

09-21-2017, 12:08 PM	#1
Don S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Penticton British Columbia Canada Posts: 244	banjo housing drips oil My banjo housing drips a small amount of oil even when not used for awhile. I have removed and sealed all the bolts ,and they are the proper type for this installation. I removed all the oil and checked the housing for cracks, but could not find any. Is there a colored fluid that I could use to find the crack ,? Or is there an additive to the oil that might take up the gap. This is more of a nuisance than a problem, unless there is a crack that could progress, then a banjo change would be needed, a bigger job that I want to take on right now. This small amount of oil loss has not changed in the last 2000 miles.

09-21-2017, 03:49 PM	#4
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,087	Re: banjo housing drips oil Your A is merely marking its spot!

09-21-2017, 04:11 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: banjo housing drips oil I have one that does the same. I suspect the PO chased the bolt holes with an ordinary tap. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

09-21-2017, 07:21 PM	#6
Don S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Penticton British Columbia Canada Posts: 244	Re: banjo housing drips oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks guys for your suggestions. I will try the acetone treatment,and let you know the results. We are away till middle of October,will do the test then Cheers

09-21-2017, 07:29 PM	#7
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: banjo housing drips oil Ours leaves a little oil to. Check, it might be coming back from the transmission or rear main. Also mixing STP with the 600 w oil could help. I have heard some folks use 50/50, some say straight STP. We use 50/50. The last 600w oil I purchased from Mac's looks and feels like STP. Enjoy. Last edited by WHN; 09-22-2017 at 06:47 AM.

09-21-2017, 02:33 PM	#2
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: banjo housing drips oil If you have removed all the oil.........tray a quart of acetone or alcohol. if there is a leak you'll see it fast. After locating the spot its a matter of choosing the best way to plug it up. Just remember to re-install the lube before testing.

09-22-2017, 06:54 AM	#8
cjkohnast Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 357	Re: banjo housing drips oil Mine had a seep not a leak. Clean it very well and give it several coats of rustolum. Rustolum is an oil base paint. Dry as a bone

09-22-2017, 07:15 AM	#9
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,162	Re: banjo housing drips oil I had a persistent slow leak from the bolt area in a 7 tooth steering column. I used 600W oil and tried to seal the bolts well with Permatex sealer - twice. Nothing worked. I then had an idea of using some heavy cotton thread and wrapping it around many times just under the bolts heads. It worked great to stop the leak! I am thinking of doing the same things on at least the lower bolts of the differential when I get to it. Rusty Nelson

09-22-2017, 11:11 AM	#10
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: banjo housing drips oil We've had good success with the Permatex thread sealer with PTFE on the bolt threads and heads

09-22-2017, 11:18 AM	#11
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,087	Re: banjo housing drips oil Don't use straight STP, it is not a lubricant.

09-22-2017, 01:08 PM	#12
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Re: banjo housing drips oil It's a Territorial thing Model A's just do. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

09-22-2017, 01:09 PM	#13
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: banjo housing drips oil I don't get EXCITED about a nickel or quarter size spot & the oil NEVER got LOW, in 8 YEARS & 12,000 Miles. Bill Whatmeworry? __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"