How do I Install an oil sending unit?

[SuperG]

I have an oil leak, but I cannot quite see where it is coming from, so I am going to assume it's the oil sending unit...if so, is it easy to remove and install the new one? Who sells these things and how much do you think the piece will cost?

 

[jthomas68]

On the MTX`s you can do it with a steep hill and a crecent wrench.What year/tranny do you have?

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Jeremy Thomas
Juiced 91+
SHO Pic Of The Week:

 

[sdpatt]

There is an old engineer's addage about assuming. It says that do you know what happens when you assume? You make an ASS out of U and ME. Put the letters together.

You can't solve a problem by guessing what it is. You really need to locate the source of the oil leak to be sure you are really fixing the problem. To install either the oil level sender or the oil pressure sensor, you will have to jack up the car and crawl underneath.

The oil level sender is located just a few inches above and to the passenger side of the oil pan drain plug. It is just below the normal level of the oil in the oil pan. The leak does not change rate between engine running and engine stopped conditions. The drip from this sender will show up on the passenger side of the oil pan drain plug.

The oil pressure sensor is located below the number 3 cylinder (driver side, rear) on the block. This sensor leaks MUCH more when the engine is running and will develop a large puddle very quickly under the driver side of the engine block, to the driver side of the oil pan drain plug.


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Scott

1991, 253K miles, glass hood, police grill, SVO shifter, Catz fogs,
K&N, 73mm MAF, Superchip, PP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back, 190 lph pump
Eibach/Tokico/polyurethane, SHO Shop front & rear strut braces,
16x7.5" Moda R1, 225/55ZR16 Bridgestone RE730, -1 deg camber x 4,
Class II hitch, Silver award at the SHOklahoma Car Show

 

[SuperG]

Oops! I forgot to mention which SHO I have...'93 ATX.

I assumed it was the oil level sender because the drip has always been slow and drips all the time. The leak is also on on the passenger side, near to the front of the car, perhaps 1.5 feet from the bumper.

I wasn't about to change it without first making sure. What I really need to do is clean the engine (because there is oil all over), then look for the leak. Thanks for the help, guys!

 

[sdpatt]

That location sounds like it could also be from the front main seal, the oil pan or even a valve cover or camshaft seal. You really need to catch the engine dripping to locate the source. After the car has been parked for a while and created a few drips, look directly above the drip for the oil trail. Follow the trail up to the source. If the source is from the drip port below the crankshaft damper, it is the front main seal or a camshaft seal. If the trail leads all the way up to the valve cover seal, then so it is. Oil pan gasket leaks are usually spread around the pan seal area. If the path is from the oil level sender, then it will be obvious too, but YOU need to see the source of the leak to know what must be repaired.

Scott