pinpointing oil leak with engine removed.

Subject pretty much says it. I've got my engine out, and on the bottom there is a good amount of oil stuck the bottom. It pretty much covers the entire underside, but appears like it might have been coming from the oil sensor. Is there a way to try and figure out where its coming? Putting a little bit of compressed air through the breather came to mind, however that seems like a really bad idea. I'm sure ide just break more seals. Any advice?

 

Check your gaskets around the oil pump and oil filter

 

Clean up the area with de~greaser & dry it, then puff talc over the area, leave for a day.

 

once you replace the pan gasket and the o-ring, where it was leaking isn't important

 

I replaced the gasket & o-ring, but found a hairline crack in the pan.

 

why would you put a new gasket on a cracked oil pan?

 

I didn't know it was cracked~hairline, along the line of a fin, couldn't see the crack, just the oil, hence the talk, now go play with someone your own age.

 

hook, line and sinker !

 

Rudie, it could have come from the sensor (it's sealed by an o-ring.) However, that sensor is really fragile and unless you're sure it is the source, I'd leave it alone until you ARE sure. Oil all over the bottom of the motor could also simply be due to untold POs doing a sloppy job on oil changes.

 

I could see a sloppy oil change, but there's quite a bit. Not to mention there was a thiiiick coating of crud baked onto the collector which makes me think it is/was a constant leak. Unless if the filter housing wasn't sealed correctly at one point, leaking oil under the engine.

 

I was just going to replace both to be safe, but in light of what fitz threw out there it make me wonder if it wasn't something else... Not to mention scared of breaking something, lol.

 

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