oil pressure sensor

[skyrunner]

I recently noticed a leak from what I believe is the oil pressure sensor / sender in my gf's 420a eclipse. It is a large sensor threaded into the rear of the engine just above the cross member. It has slowly begun to leak more and more. I'm a newb at these cars so, a few questions for you guys:

1.) Am I correct that this is the oil pressure sensor?
2.) I am having the damnedest time unclipping the connector from this sensor, is there a trick to it? I was going to try to simply tighten the sensor to slow / stop the leak (as it appears there is much thread left sticking out of the engine block)
3.) Can I remove this sensor without loosing a ton of oil?
4.) Any ideas on stopping the leak, or should I just replace the sensor? Teflon thread on the sensor? RTV? Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks guys!

 

[VelocitàPaola]

1.) Am I correct that this is the oil pressure sensor?

Yep, it's the oil pressure sending unit: not a sensor per se.

2.) I am having the damnedest time unclipping the connector from this sensor, is there a trick to it? I was going to try to simply tighten the sensor to slow / stop the leak (as it appears there is much thread left sticking out of the engine block)

There's a small clip on the connector that slips over a barb on the sender. Lift the clip and pull the connector straight back. It might need a little tugging.

3.) Can I remove this sensor without loosing a ton of oil?

Oil won't gush out unless the system is pressurized. All the oil rests in the pan while the car is off, so you'll be okay.

4.) Any ideas on stopping the leak, or should I just replace the sensor? Teflon thread on the sensor? RTV? Any suggestions welcome.

There's a thin plastic membrane inside the sender that separates the oil from the electronic switch. It's possible that the membrane broke down, hence your leak. It's unlikely, though possible, that oil suddenly started leaking from the threads unless the sender was previously removed for some reason.

For sealing the threads I would suggest making sure everything is clean and dry, then applying a little anaerobic sealant. RTV isn't good as a thread sealer, and I hear more and more bad things about Teflon (paste or tape) as it's incompatible with fuel/oil.

 

[skyrunner]

First, thanks for the quick response, you have been most helpful.

There's a small clip on the connector that slips over a barb on the sender. Lift the clip and pull the connector straight back. It might need a little tugging.

AHH! I was pushing on the clip. Duh... I should have tried lifting. Thanks, I could have spent hours on this I think, .

For sealing the threads I would suggest making sure everything is clean and dry, then applying a little anaerobic sealant. RTV isn't good as a thread sealer, and I hear more and more bad things about Teflon (paste or tape) as it's incompatible with fuel/oil.

I haven't heard of this kind of a sealant before, could you give me a few brand names? Or if I go to Autozone and ask for anaerobic sealant, will they know what I am referring to?

I doubt the threads are the problem, but I figured start there. I'll probably price out a new sender while at the store. Hopefully it isn't too much.

Thanks!

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Loctite/Permatex makes it. Autozone might sell it in small quantities, but NAPA was the only place I found that sells it in reasonably sized tubes.

 

[mitsutal96]

Sorry to bring back an old thread, but rather than starting a new one, I'll post here. I'm in almost the exact same situation, it's my girlfriend's 420a Talon, and her oil pressure sensor is leaking too. I know you said there's a membrane in there that seperates the electrical parts from the oil, but what is the fix for this, just buying a new one, or is there something else? Thanks

 

[skyrunner]

It was $9.99 at Autozone, so no reason to repair it, just replace it. I wasn't sure on the torque specs for the thing, but I just tightened it down really well and it worked like a charm!

Just FYI, the clip was not a "lift" style clip either, but I did figure it out after some poking around. It was a green connector with a red piece sticking into it. Turns out, you have to remove the red piece before pushing on the clip to remove the connector. It took a fair amount of force to pull the red clip out (and put it back in) but I just grabbed it with a small needle nose pliers and was able to pull it out. Once it was out, it was easy to push the clip and pull the connector off the sensor.

gl!

 

[david-b]

Just FYI, the clip was not a "lift" style clip either, but I did figure it out after some poking around. It was a green connector with a red piece sticking into it. Turns out, you have to remove the red piece before pushing on the clip to remove the connector. It took a fair amount of force to pull the red clip out (and put it back in) but I just grabbed it with a small needle nose pliers and was able to pull it out. Once it was out, it was easy to push the clip and pull the connector off the sensor.

gl!

From what I've seen, some are the little lift clips while others are the this other way where you have to take off that little clip before it comes out.

 

[mitsutal96]

It was $9.99 at Autozone, so no reason to repair it, just replace it. I wasn't sure on the torque specs for the thing, but I just tightened it down really well and it worked like a charm!

Just FYI, the clip was not a "lift" style clip either, but I did figure it out after some poking around. It was a green connector with a red piece sticking into it. Turns out, you have to remove the red piece before pushing on the clip to remove the connector. It took a fair amount of force to pull the red clip out (and put it back in) but I just grabbed it with a small needle nose pliers and was able to pull it out. Once it was out, it was easy to push the clip and pull the connector off the sensor.

gl!

ahh, perfect! I appreciate the help

 

[TalonESIT]

It was $9.99 at Autozone, so no reason to repair it, just replace it. I wasn't sure on the torque specs for the thing, but I just tightened it down really well and it worked like a charm!

Just FYI, the clip was not a "lift" style clip either, but I did figure it out after some poking around. It was a green connector with a red piece sticking into it. Turns out, you have to remove the red piece before pushing on the clip to remove the connector. It took a fair amount of force to pull the red clip out (and put it back in) but I just grabbed it with a small needle nose pliers and was able to pull it out. Once it was out, it was easy to push the clip and pull the connector off the sensor.

gl!

$9.99 for an oil sensor?! Wow have the prices dropped... I paid $60+ for it back when I used it.. If you can't get it from autozone PM me, I'll give you mine for free... it is just sitting here anyways.

 

[sonicdrft]

yeah hey same thing here..it started leaking,dripping down onto the exhaust so i replaced it..(wasnt cheap) and now after about maybe 4 months its leaking again...i have not yet looked at it yet but it is in the same place and same way..now last time it was leaking not through the threads but out of the end of it where the wires come out of the actual sensor..if it is leaking out of the same spot my question is..is there a better fix for this??

by the way does anyone know the socket size for this sensor??

thanks

 

[Blackndropped]

I have the same problem...but I 've got an oil pressure sender unit for my oil pressure gauge...seems to be leaking from there....but I'll wait this wionter to pull out the motor and change every gasket anywayz