Oil level sensor leak

[BoulevardRide]

88tc the level sensor on back of the oil pan has a pretty good leak going.

Is the only fix buying a new sensor? or is there a seal that can be replaced?

new sensor is over $100 is why i ask. would be nice if there was a seal available somewhere?? thanks for any help

[Tiggie]

It the leak from the outside edges or center of the sensor where the connector plugs in?

If outside, get a gasket https://lmr.com/item/LRS-6626A/1984-...-Sensor-Gasket.

If inside the sensor, you need a sensor.

Or just replace the sensor with a bolt. Google says 20mm 1.5 is what you need.

[Steveh66]

or eBay for the gasket. I have one coming in the mail.

You could use the Lockktight 915(?) - flange sealer.

[BoulevardRide]

The whole thing looks to be leaking? What do you guys think, here is a pic.

[Steveh66]

damn... Thats looks like the sensor leaking and not the seal. Sorry. Replacement time. Or just remove and replace with a bolt.

New sensors are $100 USD so pricey. a Junk yard used one is an option.

Steve

[BoulevardRide]

So I found this sensor and this seal for under $50. I think there is a clip for the wire i should be able to reuse?
Anyway i'll try ordering that sensor, see how it goes.
Thanks for the help!

it looks pretty grungy under there but a lot of it is fluid undercoating i got last fall. probably valve covers too, but all that oil keeps the rust away

No old cars in junk yards near me, rust gets so bad they don't keep them past 20 years... even the 10-15 year-olds were crushed a few years back when steel was high... doing what i can to save this one

[BoulevardRide]

As for the bolt sounds like a good option but i'm trying to keep everything working, kind of a science project i guess... plus it's nice not to have to check the oil all the dang time, this 5.0 doesn't really burn any, just leaks!

[gadget73]

The clip is actually in the sensor already. If you look at the opening, you'll see the two sides of the clip. You have to pop it out to get it unplugged.

[BoulevardRide]

So I got the parts in the mail. Here is a pic, want to make sure it goes together right... with the lip on the seal facing the oil pan, like this?


Then, should i put teflon tape on the threads? Or blue loctite, or something else. Also does anyone happen to know the torque spec for reassembly?

Also, the black center gizmo kind of floats or rattles inside the hollow bolt, i'm guessing that is normal behavior for this? kind of a float action for the level? thanks for the help

[gadget73]

yep, its a float switch.

manual doesn't say anything about which way the gasket goes, only to use a new one when installing one. I'd probably have a look at the existing one and match it.

torque is 15-25 ft-lb.

It says nothing about any sealer on the threads eithehr.

[BoulevardRide]

ok thanks!

[BoulevardRide]

Here is a final followup on this issue. I had the local oil change place install the new sensor for me. I'd just been the week before so they didn't mind trying something that they don't normally do. didn't even charge me for it, tho i gave the guy what i had on me, about 15 bucks.

airc it was around 45 for the sensor + washer, so 60 bucks total. a lot better than the local shop that quoted me $240 to order one from ford and charge me an extra half-hour 'service fee.' another shop in town told me they couldn't get the part. another shop in town didn't know what i was talking about, and didn't care. the local dealership just said, you don't want to know. so thanks to the forum i saved myself almost 200 bucks on this job. thanks!

at my next oil change i had the shop also replace my oil pressure sending unit, after they removed the filter. i bought the correct tool and handed it to them along with the sensor. again they didn't charge me, again i had around 15 bucks on me. plus they change the oil for 24 bucks out the door, can barely just buy the oil for that any more.

plus now the "oil pressure" warning on the dash actually works

[87gtVIC]

They will remember you now for sure. Take care of them and they will take care of you. Nice to find a place that has this sorta relationship with a customer.