Oil Leak Question/Confirmation

dm36415 · dm36415's Garage

After doing a search on this topic, I'm assuming that my well oiled engine exterior is due to a leak in the pressure sending unit. The leak seems to be coming from the front of the engine on the passenger side (forward of the valve covers).

Can someone give me guidance for how to confirm this, and how I can get to the part to replace it? Seems to have become a pretty significant leak.

Thanks,

Dave

the · 01-07-2008, 07:18 PM

Take off the black rubber CIS boot (take off the two big hose clamps holding it on, and pull it off), that will give you enough room to look at the oil pressure switch using a mirror and a flashlight.

Those things leak all the time.

Easy to replace, with the CIS boot removed you have enough room to get a socket and long extension back there to remove the old one and install the new one. To install the new one, lightly tape it into the socket, lower it down there, and get it in using the mirror and flashlight.

tt_targa · 01-07-2008, 09:47 PM

I lost a lot of oil from the front right. Turned out to be my fender mounter oil thermostat failed closed.

Does your car also run hot? Does it leak more when it is hot?

Good Luck!

dm36415 · dm36415's Garage

My car runs incredibly cool, about 175 normally, it's only breached 200 in the hot San Antonio summers on very long drives or in heavy stop and go traffic. No aux cooler, no A/C (no heat either).

Seems to leak only while running, not while parked.

Does anyone have a picture to help me find it? I have printed a copy of the parts diagram from the host, but to me a photo is worth a thousand words.

tonythetarga · 05:26 AM

If you can clean the entire area first with a degreaser and then drive it before replacing parts, you might be better able to verify which piece is leaking.

Have a look at this posted Tech Article: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_oil_leaks/911_oil_leaks.htm

dm36415 · dm36415's Garage

I think I was wrong in saying the sending unit, I think it was referred to correctly in the first response as the pressure switch (part # 911-606-230-00-M85).

Is there anything else I should do while the boot is off? When I first got the car a year or so ago (not running), the boot had slipped up in the back causing a vacuum leak (one of the MANY reasons it wasn't running) and I had a bear of a time putting it back on. I don't relish the thought of having to do that more times than necessary.

Thanks again.

3.2 CAB · 01-08-2008, 06:06 AM

Dave, are you any kin to the BBQ Millers? I have a 3.2, I think that other engines had the oil pressure switch up towards the front of the car also, and it can usually can be reached by taking a few items off that are in the way, then like "the" stated, flashlight or whatever you use, and the mirror and wrench. Good luck!!

dm36415 · dm36415's Garage

Wish I were part of the BBQ Miller's, I'd be having a shop denying me the enjoyment of the greasy, bloody knuckles I'll certainly attain as I embark on my project list for this year (oil leaks being the first).

I've used my middie as a daily driver for the past year after bringing it back to life, and now that it's "shaken out" I have been able to put together all the tasks I need to do to bring it back to a more true form.

I'd love to pull the engine and spend some quality time with it, but the logistics just aren't there right now. Maybe in 2008......................