Wacker plate exciter drum plug leaking oil

[Anygmatic]

Hi,

Thought I'd buy a cheap wacker plate for a few odd jobs rather than keep hiring. Bought a Wolf 13000N 196cc.
Reasonably well built (although not a Belle or Neuson), starts and runs well.
However, there is oil leaking out of the exciter drum plug/filler. I thought the seal might not be good so I checked and tightened that, but there is a hole in the plug which I assume is some sort of pressure release. This has a small amount of filter material in it, but not enough to stop the oil from leaking under vibration.
The tool suppliers said: 'Oil can leak as the pressure builds up. The exciter only requires about 100mm in it so if you have topped this up than it may leak.'

This seems strange to me - and has made a mess! I did top it up, but only after it had leaked considerably.

Anyone had experience of this - is it normal???

Cheers

 

[V8Druid]

Hi,

Thought I'd buy a cheap wacker plate for a few odd jobs rather than keep hiring. Bought a Wolf 13000N 196cc.
Reasonably well built (although not a Belle or Neuson), starts and runs well.
However, there is oil leaking out of the exciter drum plug/filler. I thought the seal might not be good so I checked and tightened that, but there is a hole in the plug which I assume is some sort of pressure release. This has a small amount of filter material in it, but not enough to stop the oil from leaking under vibration.
The tool suppliers said: 'Oil can leak as the pressure builds up. The exciter only requires about 100mm in it so if you have topped this up than it may leak.'

This seems strange to me - and has made a mess! I did top it up, but only after it had leaked considerably.

Anyone had experience of this - is it normal???

Cheers

screw a M/F elbow in to extend the level upwards and plug that with your vented plug
I assume your plug is at the front of the unit?

 

[Anygmatic]

screw a M/F elbow in to extend the level upwards and plug that with your vented plug
I assume your plug is at the front of the unit?

View attachment 28896

screw a M/F elbow in to extend the level upwards and plug that with your vented plug
I assume your plug is at the front of the unit?

View attachment 28896

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. Yes, the plug is at the front of the unit and it wouldn't be too difficult to fit, but how would that stop the oil coming out? It's being forced out under pressure, rather than the level just being too high. Unless I've got the wrong end of the stick....

 

[V8Druid]

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. Yes, the plug is at the front of the unit and it wouldn't be too difficult to fit, but how would that stop the oil coming out? It's being forced out under pressure, rather than the level just being too high. Unless I've got the wrong end of the stick....

Can't imagine much pressure building up in an open to air chamber ... just you'd be raising the level and putting a 90 in the way ... might not stop it, but greatly reduce it IMHDO .. otherwise add a barrel nipple and a socket too then put your plug in that and really extend the height

good selection here

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probably 1/4" BSP at a guess

 

[Anygmatic]

Yes, I follow. I'll give it a go
Cheers

 

[Bri963]

try draining it down and putting in the correct amount. Sounds like it’s running over full. Needs the right grade as well, not just what’s in your shed.

 

[V8Druid]

try draining it down and putting in the correct amount. Sounds like it’s running over full. Needs the right grade as well, not just what’s in your shed.

EP 80/90 at a guess ?

 

[GazCro]

EP 80/90 at a guess ?

Its only bearings on a shaft in little petrol wackers that the oil is for i wouldn't be too worried about grade but they won't need much

 

[Anygmatic]

My guess is that the oil level is too high. I'll try as Bri963 suggests. My only hesitation was that I assumed (probably wrongly) that as a new machine, it would be supplied with the correct level of oil. It leaked from the get-go.

 

[Anygmatic]

Hi, just to update the thread. Yes, it was the oil level at fault. Drained to correct level and now no more problems. Moral of the story - don't assume that 'factory set conditions' are necessarily correct....
It's amazing how little oil you need in the exciter drum.
Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.