Thread: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess

Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1 Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    80
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    4
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    2 weeks ago I replaced my steering rack and while doing that I noticed I had a lot of oil on and around the oil pressure sensor just above the oil filter. The sensor, the connector, the area below the sensor and the area above the sensor were coated with oil. Given that information, I decided that it was either the sensor leaking and then air currents spraying the leak all over everything, or - it was a leak up above the sensor coming down the side of the block. But it is very hard to access this area or see into that area. I felt the rear valve cover seal all along the back and it is dry (or as dry as it gets). I'm pretty sure I upgraded the valve cover gaskets a few years ago. The car has about 160k miles.

    So at the time I chose to hope that it was the sensor leaking and I replaced the sensor, cleaned off the excess oil as best I could and finished my steering rack job.

    After driving for a few days I've still got oil leaking so I must assume it is coming from above the sensor area. I think that means either the head gasket or the valve cover gasket, right??

    Any other ideas where it could be coming from? Thanks!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    80
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    4
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    PS I used thread sealer (goo not tape) on the sensor threads when I replaced it.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    id put money on the new oil pressure sensor failed and is leaking. if the plug is wet its leaking. its always a good idea to keep a close eye on these pos sensors, they tend to fail pretty fast, i went through 3 of em in a week or so one time till i got a good one, then it started to leak so i bought a brass NPT plug and just plugged it off. no you wont get a cel or warning from leaving it unplugged. damn things about worthless anyway. it dont set off till its got like 5 psi and well its way to late already.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    GTP Level Member CHI2000GTP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    821
    Thanks (Received)
    4
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Chats
    1286
    Front Cover Gasket.... from what I've read on here anyway.

    Above the sensor, don't know where it's coming from, (I'm assuming it's not the oil pan gasket)..... then must be front cover gasket.
    2000 GTP 4DR - Stock
    243,000 miles
    CHICAGO, IL
    My Car: http://www.grandprixforums.com/members-rides/103740-lukes-gtp.html#post1443981
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    GT Level Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    pittsfield ma. 01201
    Posts
    172
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Just went through exact same thing had to bite bullet and go to a garage timing cover gasket 700 bucks later no more oil leak
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    GrandPrix Junkie
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,724
    Thanks (Received)
    18
    Likes (Received)
    75
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Clean it all off, throw it on jackstands and let it run for a bit. Crawl under it while idling and see where it's leaking from as it'll likely show up pretty easily. Had to do this on my GT and it was the stupid pressure sensor again. Also check the timing cover as mentioned.

    If its the pressure sender I fixed that by installing an actual electronic gauge to my pillar and no leaks since plus have an actual reading on the pressure instead of the 5psi change engine light. Went though 3 OEM style pressure sending units before I called it quits. The last one damn near cost me an engine with as fast as it was leaking. Or you could plug it off as Scotty suggested and not worry about it. Just check your oil level every 2.5K miles and call it a day.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    Donating Users bandook's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Posts
    1,781
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    27
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    246
    I got a code unplugging mine. Clean it real well like fordman said, and look for new evidence.
    Top Swapped 01 Imp
    VS (very small?) cam, SD Headers, 2.8" pulley, 29°, ported everything, E85, AEM water/meth, Deka 60's, HPT tuned
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    80
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    4
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Thanks for the ideas gentlemen. I'm hoping to get it up in the air this weekend, remove sensor, clean off as best I can, goop up a plug fitting and install - then run and see what happens.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    dont drive the plug into far, just go snug.

    i jack up the pass side, take the front wheel off and reach in to remove it. channel locks work great to unscrew/screw in. getting a socket on it is not a easy task.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    id put money on the new oil pressure sensor failed and is leaking. if the plug is wet its leaking. its always a good idea to keep a close eye on these pos sensors, they tend to fail pretty fast, i went through 3 of em in a week or so one time till i got a good one, then it started to leak so i bought a brass NPT plug and just plugged it off. no you wont get a cel or warning from leaving it unplugged. damn things about worthless anyway. it dont set off till its got like 5 psi and well its way to late already.
    Do you recall the size of the NPT plug? I think I'm having the same issue. The whole area around the oil filter is flooded with oil.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #11 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    it leaks from the where the plug gets put on, so if the plug is dry its ok. and when they leak they just pour oil right out it, when driving its on the back side so the wind takes the oil to the back of the car.

    it is possible the oil filter housing gasket or the rear valve cover is leaking. or even a crank seal behind the balancer. best to clean the engine up then watch for the new trail of oil to form.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #12 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    Donating Users bandook's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Posts
    1,781
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    27
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    246
    Quote Originally Posted by GYSOT1 View Post
    Do you recall the size of the NPT plug? I think I'm having the same issue. The whole area around the oil filter is flooded with oil.
    1/4-18npt
    Top Swapped 01 Imp
    VS (very small?) cam, SD Headers, 2.8" pulley, 29°, ported everything, E85, AEM water/meth, Deka 60's, HPT tuned
    Reply With Quote  
     

  13. #13 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    I'll have to clean it up real good and watch again. It's def not flying out and coating the underside of the car. It's contained to the oil filter housing area and completely covering the axle where it goes into the trans, but it isn't a broken boot.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #14 Re: Source of Oil Leak - Help Me Guess 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    80
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    4
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Replacing my sensor must of stopped the leak and the oil I saw after that must have just been left over coating the surrounding area - because when I went back in there things had dried up and there wasn't any fresh oil on my garage floor. But at least now I have a plug ready if it ever does come back.
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. Brake Leak Unknown part/source
    By TheGeneralHackr in forum General Grand Prix Discussion
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-22-2017, 04:48 PM
  2. Constant 5v Source Anywhere?
    By 94GrandPrixSE in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-24-2015, 08:04 AM
  3. the retrofit source.
    By HVACgtp in forum Visual/Body Modifications
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 12-27-2012, 10:01 PM
  4. What is the source of this noise?
    By abomb55076 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-15-2011, 11:18 PM
  5. Most likely source for coolant leak?
    By nlinesk8s in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-06-2009, 08:09 AM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •