HRH Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Sealik and I were discussing the problem of the crankcase mesh in the L series. If you've ever yanked one out of the block after removing the two phillips screws and plate, you'll find the rectangular shaped mesh behind it. The problem you run into is after a while, the wire that holds that shit together starts to break off. Inevitably the parts go into the oil pan. They're usually too big and heavy to get picked up by the sump, but still, not the greatest. Has anyone replaced that element with anything else and had success? I was debating using some metal lattice and folding it up. I also thought about stripping the wire off the old unit, cleaning really well, and redoing with welding wire and a few quick hits with the welder. Haven't tried to get them from Nissan yet, I think that would be a loosing bet, but you never know. Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I used red/purple scotch brite in my L16. It's got about 50k on it and no issues. Haven't seen any of it come out in any oil changes, either. Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Huh, I thought of that but figured it would disintegrate over time. I suppose if you're not scrubbing though... Quote Link to comment
MicroMachinery Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Just catching oil and preventing it from going to the PCV shouldn't cause it to disintegrate. The only thing I would be concerned with is it eventually clogging up, but I don't think that's a real issue in an engine that is run regularly. Quote Link to comment
motavated Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think my engine has a metal window screen bunched up like an accordion in there... Quote Link to comment
kneesamo Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I think my engine has a metal window screen bunched up like an accordion in there... I think that's what they're supposed to look like. Out of my two blocks, one was big mess of wadded up lookin' wire, and the other was an accordion of wire mesh, with a wire wrapped around it, which was then brazed together. I soaked the good one in gas to clean it and was amazed at how much crap just kept coming out of it. The wire baffle is held up in its hole pretty good by the plate. So I would remove anything that's loose and gonna fall off, shove it back up in the hole, and put the plate back on. Quote Link to comment
Sealik Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I installed the original filter back in my block after trimming some wires that were sticking out on the fringes. Was in good shape....but when I pulled it back out to confirm that was the best position for it, a wire fling off and landed in the bottom of the piston. Not good....should fall to the bottom of the pan after assembly/running...but it's not always a direct path. The crank and 1 connecting rod could misdirect its travel. My pan won't be going on for a while, so, will be looking for a replacement. Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I'm glad you said something about it Sealik, I almost forgot about it, was going to try and put this motor together without it! :blink: Probably wouldn't have worked so well. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 When running there is a 'fog' of oil spray in there. Just needs a surface to 'bump' against and collect into droplets that are heavy enough to slide back down into the pan. Got a picture of the mesh screen? Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Coming up, although it seems the Z24 is a bit smaller. The baffle plate is longer too. Bolts near the oil pan bolts, not mid block. Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 You know, I started looking at mine again, and it was only broken at the top, but the wire still hung over. I clipped off the errant strands and said f it. Crammed it back in the hole and put the plate over it. Nothing's coming out of there. But for a more severely damaged one, it would be a good idea to figure out another method. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Looks like fly screen to me. Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 the wire around it is to keep it from compressing and clogging. i used SS mesh(heavier than fly screen) and folded it so it couldnt completely compress. Quote Link to comment
Sealik Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Realized I had a Z24 block lying in the back fourty...pulled the screen, clipped off a few wires, cleaned it up. Good to go. Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted February 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Yeah, I think it's even less important on the Z24, if you look at how large the baffle plate is. On the smaller Ls it doesn't even cover the whole mess, but on the Z24, everything is covered. Quote Link to comment
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