Yep - the new one needed a 24 mm to go in - the old one needed a 23 mm
socket to take out - got her out and replaced with a Brazilian "OEM"
switch.  Leak fixed.  Now I'm hoping the switch is quality.  Runs fine so
far.  I don't think I'll touch the other switch.

Mark
1990 Westy 2.1 manual

On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 3:08 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

>  yes.....on the socket.
> 'deep thin wall' if you can.
> there are two kinds of deep sockets.......those that are deep full length,
> and those not.
> you want the full depth deep on.
> a short half inch drive socket will work, but the terminal on the switch
> sticks out where your half inch drive ratchet would go ......
> you can still make one work though.
>
> if you are getting genuine OE German oil pressure switches ...fine.
> There is no way that I'd be replacing a good high pressure switch on a 2.1
> engine with an aftermarket part.
> I even have half a dozen of those switches, new take-offs from German
> engines.
> but I sure wouldn't put an aftermarket part on where there is an original
> good German one, of OE grade.
>
> people get in trouble trying to 'replace everything' .
> there is a point where it's smarter to leave things as they are.
> do whatever you feel is right of course.
> lol !
> Scott
> glad you found 'the' leak !
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Mark Brush <mbrush@gmail.com>
> *To:* Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 29, 2009 11:20 AM
> *Subject:* Re: Re: electric plug in engine block
>
> I think the switch itself is leaking.  I won't know until I buy the 24mm
> socket to get the thing out.  Oil pressure switches are cheap, so I might
> replace both.  If one's leaking, I bet the other one is not far off.
>
> Mark
> 1990 Westy 2.1 manual
>
> On Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 5:37 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> if there is a metal sealing ring between the oil pressure switch and the
>> engine block ........
>> it could be leaking there, and tightening the op switch or putting in a
>> new sealing metal ring, if it uses that system, might help.
>>
>> Hi mark 91 westy,
>> Sometimes it's hard to tell where they are actually leaking from.....
>> whether from the wire connection area, the 'top' of the op switch, or from
>> where it screws into the engine.
>> try spraying white talcum or baby powder onto  the area, and see if that
>> makes 'the' leak stand out.
>>
>> oil pressure switches can leak, but I can't think of the last one I
>> replace for that reason, fwiw.
>>
>> some oil pressure switches are tapered at the threads, and don't use a
>> sealing washer.
>> some are not tapered, and do use a sealing washer.
>> be sure of  which kind you are working on.
>> if it's an aftermarket american one or something ..........I wouldn't want
>> it on my vanagon, that's for sure.
>> Scott
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Brush" <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 7:18 PM
>> Subject: Re: electric plug in engine block
>>
>>
>>
>> Yep - that's where the leak was coming from - the oil pressure switch.  It
>>> was leaking oil badly enough that it was picking up some water that I
>>> spilled on the block during the coolant drain and fill extravaganza - so
>>> it
>>> looked like water.  It's oil upon closer investigation.
>>>
>>> So - from what I can tell - that thing has an o-ring - or maybe I'm
>>> better
>>> off replacing the whole switch (maybe it's cracked or something) - any
>>> thoughts on replacing the sealer (o-ring) vs. replacing the whole switch?
>>>
>>> eternally grateful,
>>>
>>> Mark
>>> 1990 Westy 2.1
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM, Mark Brush <mbrush@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Yeah, that's the one.  Could mine be leaking coolant/water?  The leak
>>>> must
>>>> be coming from somewhere else...
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Jul 26, 2009 at 10:00 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
>>>> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Sounds like you are referring to the oil pressure switch there,
>>>>> between the push rod tubes .
>>>>> that one ?
>>>>>
>>>>> Scott
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Brush" <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
>>>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 5:52 PM
>>>>> Subject: electric plug in engine block
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  Hi All -
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What's that electric plug going into the engine block?  It's near the
>>>>>> coolant drain plug on the left head.  Mine's leaking and I can't find
>>>>>> any
>>>>>> info on it in the Bentley - and I haven't found a posting on the
>>>>>> listserve
>>>>>> yet.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have a 1990 Westy 2.1 with a few leaks (btw - I just used the bong
>>>>>> method
>>>>>> for filling with coolant and it worked great!)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>

--
Mark
1990 Westy (2.1 - manual)