Ideas Needed For Engine Access???

[Dougal]

Perkins 4108 Lowline engine.

I need to replace the oil pressure gauge sender unit on the side of the engine, but just can't get any tools on the thing:-(

It's below the exhaust manifold and fuel lines. Just can't see a way to do this without removing half the bloody engine;-(

The only access would be directly from side on. Is there a special tool for such a thing? Maybe something like a baby version of an oil filter removal tool?

Any ideas guys?

 

[Tam Lin]

What part of your boat is to the side of the engine, is it possible to cut an access panel?

 

[Dougal]

What part of your boat is to the side of the engine, is it possible to cut an access panel?

The hull;-) Its not that I can't access the engine. I can go down from above, with about 18" clearance to the side. The problem is that the access I have, is severely restricted by other engine components, making it impossible to get any kind of spanner on the nut to turn it. Will TRY to post a pic.....

 

[ianj99]

I used a pair of adjustable (sliding) pliers. Water pump wrench I think they're called, to grip the sender body and loosen it. Then it was easy to unscrew by hand.

 

[Dougal]

I used a pair of adjustable (sliding) pliers. Water pump wrench I think they're called, to grip the sender body and loosen it. Then it was easy to unscrew by hand.

Where did you approach it from? Top, side or head on?

 

[lw395]

Crowfoot spanner?

 

[ianj99]

Where did you approach it from? Top, side or head on?

I gripped it end on - ie with the jaws pointing towards the engine rather than parallel to it and round the sender body. It wasn't very tight.

 

[prv]

Assuming it's the thing on the left, not the bigger thing on the right...

Will the wires unplug from it? They look like they might be spade or bullet terminals to me. If they do, it then looks like a socket would fit over the whole thing.

Pete

 

[ianj99]

Assuming it's the thing on the left, not the bigger thing on the right...

Will the wires unplug from it? They look like they might be spade or bullet terminals to me. If they do, it then looks like a socket would fit over the whole thing.

Pete

The sender is the larger one, the left hand one is a switch.

 

[prv]

The sender is the larger one, the left hand one is a switch.

Ah, I see, and no flats hence the talk of using a strap wrench as for an oil filter.

A plumber's basin tap wrench might be a neat way of coming at it end-on, but perhaps not something the typical home mechanic would have to hand:

Otherwise, how about one of those strap wrenches that goes on the end of a socket set instead of having its own handle? Maybe with a special shorter (or shortened) strap for this job?

Pete

 

[Dougal]

Ah... that last one looks interesting. I'm sure that would work. The tap wrench won't work - no room for turning it. Now all i've got to do is find one out here in brittany;-) Wonder if i can make something similar for a 'one off' use......