Hi guys,

I was trying to remove a stripped fill plug from my front differential...snapped the oil pressure switch.

Got a question - when replacing, do I need to apply sealant to the thread? I'm looking online and it doesn't appear to come presealed.

 

No. In the case of these switches being they are BPST threads, a sealant- either "Teflon" tape or liquid "dope" type- is not recommended. The aggressive taper makes for a mechanical seal and also ensures proper ground contact (being these switches only close a ground circuit when actuated). A sealant would act as a insulator and defeat the purpose of even having the (next to useless) switch.

Just be sure NOT to overtighten the switch and you should be fine. It will be normal for some threads to remain exposed.

 

No sir. That will definitely mess things up for you in the long run

 

Thanks guys. Would I need a 1/2 deep socket to tighten or would something like a channel lock/wrench do the trick? I'll be sure to be careful.

 

Any wrench that will securely fit the switch should be fine. I would avoid any type of pliers as they have poor grip and often cause more problems than they are worth. Just my opinion mind you.

That said, the torque spec for the switch is only 11 ft-lbs. so not super tight. In my experience 1.5-2 turns after finger tight would be more than sufficient to seat most sensors/ switches. I would err on the side of "under tightening" given how easy it is to strip the threads or, worse, crack the upper oil pan. You can always incrementally tighten a little more as needed.

 

I appreciate the tips. I tackled this today, had an issue where I only had a larger wrench to accommodate the switch's size; couldn't really use it due to the limited space.

I ended up tightening with my fingers until I couldn't anymore, and then used some channel locks to tighten it maybe 1/4 turn more.

Does this seem too loose? I can see about 4 threads. Gonna monitor for leaks of course.