Oil Level Sight Glass

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I have a Senior Major Mk2 ELT and the sadle sight glass shows oil even though I have removed the coverplates and I know that there is no oil !

It it possible to remove the sight glass without damage?

Brian

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I would look on ebay to see what sizes are available before attempting to remove yours, just in case it ends in tears.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Thanks for the reminder Old Mart, I had a look on eBay for 1.25" sight glasses and the identical one is still available.

Are you suggesting that the only removal method involves destruction?

Brian

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

No, but I haven't the foggiest idea how they are removed. If it is in a stepped hole, the only way of removing it would be to press from the other side, on the glass, if that is even possible.

[Pete RimmerParticipant @peterimmer30576]

Most of them just press in and out – the rubber housing does the sealing. I pressed the one out of a Bantam headstock using a socket and pry bar. The socket was a close fit to the OD of the sight glass and I pressed it from inside outwards with no harm done. After cleaning it out and getting rid of the oil staining from the white painted/enamel backing I fitted it back in and it sealed no problem. I believe I used a thin smear of RTV around it just to be sure.

[jimmy bParticipant @jimmyb]

I had the opposite problem on one of my lathes!

Glass was empty and machine full!

I just pushed the glass (plastic) out, cleaned it and refitted with some silicone around the hole.

Jim

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Many thanks for the replies, the problem with the Senior one is that there does not appear to be access from the back.

Brian

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

If they are like the plastsic/Perspex sight glasses used in motorcycle crankcases, you may have to drill a hole in it, screw in a self-tapping screw and pop the "glass" and seal out with a puller or slide hammer attached to the screw Then replace glass and seal with new unit.

[TomfileryParticipant @tomfilery]

Brian,

I'm afraid I can't help with your particular machine, but a few years ago when I wanted to replace the opaque sight glass on my Super 7 lathe with a clear one, I found that watch glasses were readily and cheaply available, in a range of diameters, in size increments of 0.1mm. I think I got mine from eBay.

So, once you've checked that your size is available, you might well find you can go down the "brute force and ignorance" route, without worrying that the glass might be irreplaceable.

Regards Tom

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I decided to use brute force to remove the sight glass by using the self tapping screw idea. The hole for the glass is blind and has 2 small holes at 12 & 8 o'clock to allow oil in.

I found an identical new one on eBay from wealdenterprises who do a variety of glasses. (no connection).

Brian

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Now the glass is out, have you found out why the oil was showing?

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Oil shows because the hole in the saddle casting, to let it out, is at 8 o'clock meaning that some oil will always show even when the reservoir is empty!

I can only imagine that the thinking was to let any dirt fall to the bottom of the glass where it couldn't get back into the reservoir, it certainly worked on mine because it was full of dust and rust mixed with oil.

Brian

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Before fitting the new glass, you could put a little groove up to the oil hole so it will drain properly. It sounds like the whole lot needs a wash out anyway.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Old Mart, you are correct that it needs a wash out, and now it's had one!

Here is a picture of the housing and as can be seen, one of the holes is at 8 o'clock, meaning it would never drain completely.

Brian

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

Maybe their logic in putting the hole there was to show oil even if it was empty, the required level being from 1/2 to 3/4 up the glass. Some of these sight glasses are pretty vague as to whether they are full right up or empty.

Forget my thoughts on a groove.

Edited By old mart on 14/10/2019 21:53:37

[Nick M0NPHParticipant @nickm0nph]

http://www.berger-tools.co.uk/

this might help not used them but google is my friend !!

Nick

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