Oil Sample Tap

[acewiza]

Can anyone suggest a good part/source for a sample tap to install inline on one of my baypass connections? The Cummins will have about a 18 quart total capacity after the Gulf Coast is installed and I don't think I am going to be changing it very often. So I'd like a convenient way to tap a sample for Blackstone every once in awhile.

Tks...

 

[bmklawt]

http://www.fumotovalve.com/

 

[acewiza]

Yes, I've seen these discussed around here at various times, but that just a drain plug adapter. I expect the drain plug to stay in for years at a time after this upcoming oil change. No need to mess with that. Looking for an in-line valve to install along with the new bypass plumbing...

 

[Gary Allan]

What size lines are you running on your bypass? If I read you correctly, you want to cut the line and insert a hose barbed fitting that you can attach a valve to.

Otherwise you're putting a "T" at the unit and then adding a valve. It adds more pieces, but would probably be cheaper.

You want a valve that has threads on both ends so that you can plug it or cap it just in case vibration allows the handle to wander.

Page 134 of McMaster.com

I have some real neat 1/8" ball valves that would be nice ..but I can't find them on the web for you.

 

[acewiza]

Yep Gary, that's the idea - just a simple valve on the line to tap samples. Want to make sure to get something compatible with hot oil.

 

[acewiza]

Yep Gary, that's the idea - just a simple valve on the line to tap samples. Want to make sure to get something compatible with hot oil.

 

[LargeCarMan]

Oil suction through the dipstick is the best...I just tried it for the first time today for an analysis of oil.

LCM

 

[acewiza]

That probably is the best idea in terms of keeping the plumbing simple and more reliable. But I'm lazy and would rather not fuss about with extra tubes and pumps and such.

 

[Gary Allan]

quote:

---

Originally posted by acewiza:
Yep Gary, that's the idea - just a simple valve on the line to tap samples. Want to make sure to get something compatible with hot oil.

---

They say 90F on them ..but they're also steam (autoclave) proof ..there's no pressure in your return line ..so any temp rating for pressure is altered a good bit. No brass ever burst @ 200F at a couple of psi.

But maybe it would be wiser to just put a "t" at the filter and tap in a valve.

[ June 05, 2006, 12:49 AM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

 

[acewiza]

I haven't really even considered exactly "where" it will go, just somewhere in the new bypass setup. I'll look at that after I get things mounted, check clearances, whatnot. Cobbling something together should be fairly straightforward, but will at least need a valve to start with. Where'd you find this one?

 

[Gary Allan]

Northerntool.com appears to be the best on price. Just put "valves" into the search feature and I think you'll find a 1/8" somewhere around page 5.

Notherntool.

 

[acewiza]

Just the ticket Gary, Thanks!

 

[SirEager]

Question,

Why add an value that can fail? The suction tools are safer. No extra mass connect to the oil lines. Fewer connections to fail. No valves to accadently open. We are talking about your motor and it's life blood. Amsoil sells one and what would be cleaner then opening your hood and sucking the oil into a bottle?

 

[Gary Allan]

SirEager= I understand your reasoning, but the pumps leave a little to desire. They're miles ahead of opening a drainplug for just a sample ..and I've used mine without difficulty, but to just open a tap and fill a cup with the engine running, it works for me.

You can always, as I have done on my MEGA filter, just put a plug or cap on the open end of the valve. Then even if it opens accidentally, you're covered.

 

[1040 WreckerMan]

I don't have any pictures, but we use a PN# 8C-3446 for out CAT engines (about 9.25 from a CAT dealer) and a PN# OD1014 from Titan Labs for our M11/ISM Cummins (about 21.00 from Gillig parts department). You can buy the same thing from Cummins but I don't have a Cummins number.

The only failures we have had on these valves are damage from R&Ring an engine or trans. We've been running these valves on the Cummins since 1996 and they seem to hold up very well. I believe they are 1/8 NPT, but don't quote me. I'd check out Titan Labs and see if they have other sizes if the 1/8th doesn't work for you.

 

[md_lucky_13]

I used a return line from my bypass to the oil cap.

When it is time to get a sample, I just leave the engine running, take off the oil cap, and aim the stream into my sample bottle.

Simple, effective, and free.

 

[Gary Allan]

Yes, but you lose the neato factor. What's fun about that?

 

[md_lucky_13]

I didn't lose any neato factor..

I play the theme from Mission Impossible when I get my samples.. Keeps the neighbors glued on me with more neato factor then you can imagine!

 

[acewiza]

Well, by that reasoning any portion of the bypass plumbing I've added to five different vehicles over the last year might fail. Tubing, clamps, fittings, whatever. No problems in that area so far.

This particulat truck is kind of a pain in the butt to work under the hood. It is a 4x4 to begin with, lifted an addl. 2in. with syjacker springs, so need a ladder to do anything under there. I wouldn't have finished setting up the ladder much less gather the pump, get it inserted, etc. by the time the valve is already closed and sample in bottle. It is actually much easier to crawl under it for that. Think I'll take my chances.

 

[Gary Allan]

Never work any harder then you have to. Otherwise we can all go back to draging logs and rocks before we learned to roll them.