This was the absolutely brilliant call, as when I got to the sender, and removed it, the plastic electronic connector that goes through the center, to the lead, and into the pan was just spinning around, the gasket was fine, but I have no idea how that plastic thing failed. But it is resolved, at least the leak and blow back is. Now on to the plug.
thanks,
Joe
Quote:
Originally Posted by long-gone
Besides the pan gasket and rear main seal, a very common oil leak on an M103 that usually shows up as oil at the back/center of the pan is the oil level sender. It's a unit that bolts (2 bolts) into the oil pan just above and behind the oil drain plug on the drivers side. It uses an O-ring for a gasket. But, It's not just that o-ring that can leak. Where the wire plugs into it there is another small o-ring which I think just keeps water and dirt from the contacts but they sometimes develop leaks through the plastic casting of the electrical components. Oil senders are generally about $50 online.
When they leak the oil film is very thin from the unit but it gathers at the back of the pan. You'll be able to feel oil around and under it with your fingers. Clean it off good with brake kleener (careful of your eyes spraying under the car) and see if it quickly returns after a short drive. If you can trace a leak to the sender, replacing it (or the o-ring) is very easy but will require the oil to be drained. Which could be a problem if you can't get the drain plug out. The drain plugs are pretty accessible, if it's rounded, maybe just a big honkin' pair of vise grips clamped super tight could coax it?
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