Oil pressure sender (gauge) leak

[sdg3205]

Does anyone else experience any oil leaks from this unit? I removed it and wrapped some Teflon tape around it to see if I could stop the leak. No such luck. I'm starting to think the leak is between the sender and the adaptor that goes into the block.

Unfortunately the only way to test it was to fill the engine back up with fresh oil so I think I'm stuck again until my next oil change.

[DMCMW Dave]

Does anyone else experience any oil leaks from this unit? I removed it and wrapped some Teflon tape around it to see if I could stop the leak. No such luck. I'm starting to think the leak is between the sender and the adaptor that goes into the block.

Unfortunately the only way to test it was to fill the engine back up with fresh oil so I think I'm stuck again until my next oil change.

It only leaks when the engine is running, and you can remove it without losing any oil although you probably want the filter off for access. There is a copper ring under that adapter (against the block) that the sender screws in to. I think I've probably seen one sender that leaked between the pipe and the larger body of the sender itself. I've never seen the copper seal leak.

[sdg3205]

Thanks Dave

How much oil would I loose if I removed the filter to access the sender again? Seems like about a liter when I remove them after draining the pan.

I've got an order in the works with Toby so I can probably get that washer added.

[sdg3205]

PS - I've got a bad oil pan gasket so odds are i may just be the 2nd person with a leak between the sender and adapter!

[DMC5180]

PS - I've got a bad oil pan gasket so odds are i may just be the 2nd person with a leak between the sender and adapter!

How do you know the PAN gasket is bad? That gasket is virtually bonded to pan and case. Oil leaks from above or rear main have the tendency run down from someplace else then migrate around the gasket seam making you think it is leaking.

[sdg3205]

How do you know the PAN gasket is bad? That gasket is virtually bonded to pan and case. Oil leaks from above or rear main have the tendency run down from someplace else then migrate around the gasket seam making you think it is leaking.

I get oil leaks from 5 pan bolts on the right side of the pan. In fact I've even witnessed tiny air bubbles form at the bolts. I scrubbed the entire engine to locate my leaks which turned out to be the 5 bolts and the pressure sender. I solved the bolt leaks by using sensor safe rtv around the bolt head and washers and pan until I can lift the engine to replace the pan gasket.

[DMC5180]

Interesting, I have a pesky Leak under there too but keep being told its not the Oil pan gasket. In fact my car just continues to bleed ever so slowly just sitting in the garage for weeks or months at a time.(winter) I had been thinking it might be the block and girdle seam was seeping. When you think about it the high volume of oil in the pan when full sits well above the gasket seam just sitting static. The same goes for the Axle shafts in the transmission. Oil sits 3/4 up the shaft seals when full. No wonder those are so prone to leaking too.

[sdg3205]

Interesting, I have a pesky Leak under there too but keep being told its not the Oil pan gasket. In fact my car just continues to bleed ever so slowly just sitting in the garage for weeks or months at a time.(winter) I had been thinking it might be the block and girdle seam was seeping. When you think about it the high volume of oil in the pan when full sits well above the gasket seam just sitting static. The same goes for the Axle shafts in the transmission. Oil sits 3/4 up the shaft seals when full. No wonder those are so prone to leaking too.

Yeah, I had to scrub everything clean in order to find the leaks. I found little drips would accumulate on the bolt heads, with no oil actually leaking from the gasket above. I'd use a white rag to run along the area around the bolts to verify.

After a drive, the leak from the sender will pour enough oil down the block to accumulate and make it appear as though the bolt leaks are coming from another source.

I'm going to get another copper washer and cross my finger I'm done with leaks.

Still curious if anyone can tell me how much oil I'd loose removing the filter to get at the sender again?

[DMCMW Dave]

Still curious if anyone can tell me how much oil I'd loose removing the filter to get at the sender again?

After it sits a few hours, maybe a half-cup or less.

I agree with Dennis - oil pan/engine case leaks are VERY rare on an original engine.

[David T]

Most of the time what looks like oil pan gasket leaks are from the oil pressure sender (light) on the left, rear of the engine.
David Teitelbaum

[sdg3205]

Most of the time what looks like oil pan gasket leaks are from the oil pressure sender (light) on the left, rear of the engine.
David Teitelbaum

Not on mine. Bone dry! Used to leak though so I replaced the whole thing including the washer.