sailsmen
06-07-2010, 08:07 PM
Many of our Vortechs are 5+ years old. I highly recommend replacing the Oil Feed Line. A stainless upgrade is available and lists for $85.00. Dennis Reinhart sent me a new stainless line 2 years ago. I elected to keep the rubber line and sent the stainless line back to Dennis Reinhart.
My oil feed line was 5 years old with 90,000 miles when it developed a leak.
While at the top of the 1,320' I noticed smoke as I crossed the finish line. I shut it down and pulled over in the return lane. I saw oil from the front of the oil pan and assumed I blew a front crank seal. I checked the oil on the dip stick and there was no measurable loss. Keep in mind at WOT at 75psi through a pin hole a small amount of oil gets every where and looks like a lot more than it is. Apparently the oil all ended up on my Marauder because the track staff inspected the track and there was nothing to clean up.
I had her towed to the shop and they had a heavy duty Gates feed line made up the same day to get me back on the road.
The shop told me there was a pin hole from age. I couldn't believe it so I performed an autopsy. The pin hole occurred at the apex of the bend where the hose goes under the crank pulley.
The inside material of the hose cracked through to the outer covering and the pressure pushed through the cover forming an open lip on the cover allowing oil to pass through.
The hose should be very flexible with no stiff parts.
My guardian angel was looking after me. When I changed to the street tires while waiting for the wrecker I found oil on the inside sidewall of one of the MT ET. Another couple of inches over on the MT ET and I would be looking for another Marauder.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/oilleak_004.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/oilleak_006.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/oilleak_01.jpg
My oil feed line was 5 years old with 90,000 miles when it developed a leak.
While at the top of the 1,320' I noticed smoke as I crossed the finish line. I shut it down and pulled over in the return lane. I saw oil from the front of the oil pan and assumed I blew a front crank seal. I checked the oil on the dip stick and there was no measurable loss. Keep in mind at WOT at 75psi through a pin hole a small amount of oil gets every where and looks like a lot more than it is. Apparently the oil all ended up on my Marauder because the track staff inspected the track and there was nothing to clean up.
I had her towed to the shop and they had a heavy duty Gates feed line made up the same day to get me back on the road.
The shop told me there was a pin hole from age. I couldn't believe it so I performed an autopsy. The pin hole occurred at the apex of the bend where the hose goes under the crank pulley.
The inside material of the hose cracked through to the outer covering and the pressure pushed through the cover forming an open lip on the cover allowing oil to pass through.
The hose should be very flexible with no stiff parts.
My guardian angel was looking after me. When I changed to the street tires while waiting for the wrecker I found oil on the inside sidewall of one of the MT ET. Another couple of inches over on the MT ET and I would be looking for another Marauder.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/oilleak_004.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/oilleak_006.jpg
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/oilleak_01.jpg