Odometer leaking and something fell out; please help!

Hi all,

When I was refitting my bumper (see previous post) I noticed a little pool of oil on the floorboard under the steering wheel. I guess the oil came from the little pipe and fitting shown on this picture. Does it belong to the odometer?

Maybe a stupid question, but do I have to refill the oil and if so, what kind of oil?

I also found this little spline (?) in the pool of oil. What is it? I guess it fell out the pipe; yes? What to do with it?

Thanks for all your help; this site is a world of knowledge and camaraderie.

the little spline in the pool of oil.

That line goes to the oil pressure guage.

Stan,
Maybe a little closer view of the "spline". Can't quite make out what that is.

Rob is right about the oil line, it connects to the back of your oil pressure gauge.

Can't really see the "spline" thing but it appears to be the end of your speedometer cable... broken of course, if it is.

If it is "square-ish" it is the speedo cable end. If it is round and threaded, it is one of the studs from the back of a gauge.

And don't neglect the possibility that the broken thing was left in their by a DPO. I.e., you might have had a broken speedo cable years ago and the end got lost when it was replaced. But the oil problem definitely needs fixing!

Is it oil or brake fluid from the clutch master?

OK, just ran back to the garage and took some more pics (pant pant....). It is definitely round and about 1 cm tall. I'll post another pic.

So, if it needs fixing; what should I fix and how should I put new oil in the line?

One more pic. Can not blame a DPO as I repainted the floorbaords, so everything I find must come from me and my own mistakes.

It looks like a broken thread tap to me.

Clifton

I believe the oil just comes from the motor oil pan. As long as your dip stick is correct level, should be okay. I cranked my engine with dash out and got a bunch of the oil pumping out of the tube all over myself. Another newbie mistake!!

Well, I still can't tell what it is, but I don't think it is either of the things I mentioned above.

Looks like your roach clip broke.
To fill the line with oil, just tilt the car up on it's nose and SLOWLY pour oil in until it's full. You could also sacrifice a syringe and inject oil into the line. Just throw it away afterwards so you don't get it mixed up with your other paraphanalia.
[b]JUST KIDDING[b]
Just hook it to the back of the oil pressure guage and it will fill with oil all by itself, if you put oil in the engine.

Thats the speedo drive cable end. Had one that looked exactally like it when I replaced with an OD cable.

Better than even odds that the oil pressure guage is busted even if it is re-connected. It should be checked for leaks and function. There may also be leaks in the line.

Most any generic oil pressure guage will work as a short-term replacement.