Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I've developed an oil leak, at first I thought it was proably the rear main seal as it is dripping motor oil between the motor and the tranny. With the frontend up on ramps its actually running thru the plastic shroud at the bottom front of the TH350. The car sat for years, that's why I'm not surprised when stuff happens. But upon further inspection, it appears to be leaking from the oil sensor\sending unit behind the distributor. No gauges just idiot lights in this car....Has anyone else ever seen this issue or must I keep digging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam84 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 If its leaking from the sensor, just replace it. Mine leaked when I got my Monte. They are a cheap part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 Does this sensor get changed when an oil pressure gauge is installed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam84 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 You CAN just replace it but there are other things you can do. I have mine teed off so I have both the warning light and a guage in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 So it IS the same unit whether a gauge or the idiot light is installed? So you basically have 2 wires going to this sensor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikstudie Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Very common for a sending unit to leak and a easy repair.Our oil pans also leak and are a tricky one to seal properly,also distributor seal is another problem child but also easy to fix.. Â Â Murphy,nice truck in your siggy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 the rear of the intake can also leak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam84 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 So it IS the same unit whether a gauge or the idiot light is installed? So you basically have 2 wires going to this sensor? Â I'm pretty sure its not the same sensor. If it has 1 connector on it its the simple dummy light type. It basically is an on/off switch that operates at a single pressure. It does not read a range. You will need one with 2 or 3 connectors I think. It has to be for a gauge. That will read a range. I will try and find one as an example. Â My apologies for misleading you. I was thinking you had or were going to get a mechanical gauge. An electric sensor will look the same but should have 2 or 3 connectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58impala Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Yes they do go bad and leak. When you go to buy a new sender switch, they'll ask you if it is for a gauge or idiot light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 The possible oil leak sources have been mentioned. Also, as mentioned, the sensors are different. The idiot light is connected to a pressure switch which turns the light on typically with oil below 4 psi and off when pressure exceeds this, so not made for a gauge. Â On my daily driver, I have a T-fitting that allows a pressure switch connected to an electrical idiot light gauge and an oil line connected to a mechanical oil pressure gauge. That is the ideal set up in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 57 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I like having the 'idiot' light and the gauge. I use this one pressure switch it turns the light on when the pressure drops below 15 pounds. It just might save some parts when it all goes to poop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 Having both sounds great, are you then using a mechanical gauge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsterdam84 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I use a mechanical though some might not want to incase the gage inside leaks. Thats what happened with mine when I got it. Gage leaked inside the housing and dripped onto the carpet. Electrical is safer though some say its not as accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCfan Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Hi, Murray, Â I just replaced my oil pressure switch/sending unit (for the dash idiot light) last week because it was the source of a small but persistent oil leak. Oil was dripping onto the driver's side header, creating smoke and odor. I had to remove the driver's side inner fender to get to it as it taps into the block (BBC) just above the oil filter boss and the header tubes were in the way. Â I was very surprised to discover that switch was the source of the leak, but apparently heat from the #7 header tube damaged the seal between the metal body and the plastic housing around the single electrical spade connector. I fabricated and installed a heat shield (using a short section of cardboard tube completely covered in metal foil thermal tape) around the new switch to hopefully extend its life. Â The replacement switch I got from Advance Auto Parts was a BWD 5971675 and it only cost $7.99 plus tax. Â I also have a mechanical oil pressure gauge, but its supply line taps into the block in a separate location below the #2 cylinder. Â Hope a new switch will also fix your oil leak problem. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy Posted January 3, 2012 Author Share Posted January 3, 2012 THX, Dennis & everyone who responded. Great info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedfreak71 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Don't forget when you replace it to use teflon paste to seal it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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