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Topic: Projector leaking oil....

Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 02-11-2001 12:12 PM

I use simplex 1050 projector heads at my theater. I have been having problems with oil leaks that seem to be getting worse. The projectors are 11 years old. They still use the older type oil seals. My question is. Is there anything out there that I can use to help stop these leaks? I know I can order new seals but have heard that they can be a bitch to change. Any help and information is appreciated.

Aaron Sisemore
Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day!

Posts: 3061
From: Rockwall TX USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 02-11-2001 12:21 PM

You can try the newer oil seal or even supplement it with RTV sealant, but to be honest I have NEVER seen a Simplex that didn't leak oil in some way. Try tightening the back cover as well, not too much though or it may leak really bad if you split the seal. It may be coming from the mainshaft oil seal as well.

Aaron

Jerry Chase
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1068
From: Margate, FL, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 02-11-2001 02:09 PM

Shoot. I used to think that was a good thing! Put a mouse bed on the floor to catch the drippings.

Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 02-11-2001 03:36 PM

I was just at a theater and found this interesting solution to Simplexes leaking oil.

Yes, that is a kitty litter box!

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 02-11-2001 05:59 PM

The absorbent bed pads used for incontinent patients also work well to absorb the oil and keep it off the floor. They have a fiberfill absorbent side, backed with a sheet of polyethylene. Most pharmacies and home-care medical supply stores carry them. Unlike Kitty Litter, they can't spill accidently, making a mess.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-11-2001 06:36 PM

Do you know WHERE it's leaking from?

If it's leaking from that circular, metal plate you can replace the seal, like everybody else said.

1) Drain the oil from the proj. and remove the cover and gasket.

2) Clean the living hell out of everything... the cover, the screws and the whole sealing surface where the gasket goes. (Don't get any chemicals in the bearings!) This is important because any oil on the mating surfaces will start a "path" for new leaks to start.

3) Put a new gasket in. Make sure it's in smooth and flat. No wrinkles or twists.

4) Put it all back together just the way you found it. Don't tighten it down all the way yet. Just "snug it up". Make sure it's on there as evenly and flat as you can get it. Make sure the gasket is in straight.

5) Tighten the screws down in "stages" and in "criss-cross" fashion. (Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right, Top Left and so on.)

6) Tighten them down at tightly as you can without breaking or stripping anything.

7) Cross your fingers and pray.

I've done a bunch of these. The first few times it turned out to be just as bad as it was when I started. I had to redo a few of them until I got it right.
Do the job as meticulously as you can. The extra few minutes you take to do it right will pay off. Sometimes, no matter what the hell you do the projectors will leak. Just live with it. (Unless it's really bad.)

If it's leaking from somewhere else you'll just have to use yor "wits" about you. Still, use the principles outlined above and apply them to the situation at hand. Just make sure you get the gaskets in right and get the surfaces clean.

Michael Cunningham
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 186
From: Anchorage, AK
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-11-2001 07:02 PM

This is really common with Simplexes as they get older. I've heard it said, only half in jest, that the proper way to check the oil level on an older Simplex is to make sure it is leaking. If it's not, you need to add oil. Seriously though, I would agree with those above and try changing those seals. It may be a pain, but if done right they will last a while.

-Mike

Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 02-11-2001 08:59 PM

The only time a Simplex does not leak oil is when they are sitting on the shelf. That's because there is nothing in them...

John Eickhof
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 588
From: Wendell, ID USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 02-11-2001 11:21 PM

Hey Paul & John, how about the old trick of the Tampax in the old RCA & SH-1000s! I remember the strings breaking off while trying to get those swollen pads out on my service calls!

------------------
John Eickhof President, Chief Slave
Northwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc.
P.O.Box 258
Wendell, ID. 83355-0258
208-536-5489
email: jeickhof@nteequip.com

Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 02-11-2001 11:41 PM

Yes, John - I was aware of the Tampax thing - except we used Kotex at the drive-in. I was a little too sheepish to mention that, but now that it is in the open, Kotex did a great job in soaking up the oil.

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-12-2001 09:07 AM

Actually for the era that your machine was built this is fairly normal. I have installed new heads in the last three or 4 years that still have yet to leak at all. Perhaps just a tiny drop or two from the drive seal till it ran in, but then none at all. With the change to new paint finish and the new back door and gasket adding the O ring to the intermettant carrage, etc, leaks are pretty rare now unless there is really a problem.
With older X-L's(and Brenkerts) the oil will permeate right through the alumnium casting. The new powder paint finish really seals em up good now though. If you rebuild any X-L's having them powder painted will also solve the problem. Installing the seal kit and the new Yamaha oil sight glass will also eliminate two more troublesome leak spots. In your case though it may be likely that you are adding too much oil to the projector.
Those that remember that older Harley Davidsons also had the oil seepage right through the alumnium castings......now they have the castings pressure coated with a sealer at a plant in West Bend, Wi. That really took care of their problem for good! Strong has also made huge strides in making the X-L not leak.
Mark @ GTS

Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 02-12-2001 04:54 PM

I think I finaly got the leak slowed down. It involves the oil seal gasket on the gear cover. None of the machines are leaking around the main shaft. This perticular one has been troublesome for a long time. I had to take the gear cover off the machine because I've had to replace two of our drive gears for oil pump do to the two piece design seperating. I checked the gear to make sure it was still sturdy. All new oil pump drive gears are one piece now thank God. Anyway this one is real stubborn trying to keep the leaks at a minimum. I have noticed recently that some oil is starting to come from the framing shaft on the gear side of the head. It is not real bad but is present. Well, hopefuly my problem has been reduced.

Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 02-12-2001 10:00 PM

Darryl, check if the little slots that the thumb screws tighten against in the gear side cover to make sure they are not deformed. If they are bent inward, you have two options. Buy a new cover, or maybe file them to right angles with the cover. If you tried to bend them back, they probably will break off. Then you are screwed. If they are bent, it will be almost impossible to tighten the cover down where it won't leak. There is one on the top, and two on the bottom. I have also heard or read somewhere that if the gasket and its mating surface is not absolutely clean and free of oil, the gasket never will seat properly, and will leak like an aluminum cup with holes in it.

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 02-13-2001 04:50 PM

Paul Thompson said in a previous reply "and will leak like an aluminum cup with holes in it."
What I think he meant is that it will leak like a "61 Harley does".
Mark @ GTS

Sean M. Grimes
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 247
From: Lunenburg, MA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 02-13-2001 05:43 PM

hmmm my 1060's dont leak from the gear cover at all - just from those damn oil eye level meters on the threading side. Now if there was a simple fix for that one plueaaaseee let me know. the bottom corner in the front allmost looks like a swiming pool at times!!!

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