CHANGING THE OIL LEVEL SENDING UNIT

[TerryA]

OK, I am tired of the oil drip off of the oil sending unit lead wires that go thru the side of the crankcase.

What is required to be removed besides the oil pan to change this thing.

I need a new lead but what about gasket for the pan?

What kind of sealant to install the new lead in the side of the block so it will never never leak again?

All suggestions accepted

Thanks

 

[gsxr]

You need:

Lower oil pan gasket (p/n 119-014-08-22)
TWO different seal rings for the sender (p/n's 017-997-57-48 and 017-997-58-48)
If the plastic body of the connector breaks when removed, you'll need a new sender too (p/n 126-542-08-17, shown below)

That should be it. Do not apply any sealant... clean the hole in the block after removing the plastic plug, replace the rubber O-rings, and re-install. If you buy a new sender, it will come with the two O-rings. Make sure the leak is not coming from above the sender, making it look like the sender is leaking when it really isn't. The oil leaks I had in this area were traced upwards all the way to the cam advance solenoids!

 

[TerryA]

Dave

I just knew you would be answering this.

"O" rings?? No wonder the damm thing leaks. I would say that on a 17 year old car that the plastic part should be changed anyway.

Just to be clear, the plastic part only comes with the complete sending unit?

I will put in a call to Caliber Wholesale today for pricing.

It is time for an oil change and I thought that I would fix this while I am under the car.

BTW, as soon as I can make the PDF I found in regards to the Royal Purple oil I will post it on the thread. I think I am going to be using it.

Thanks Dave

 

[gsxr]

LOL! I replaced these O-rings on my spare engine while the oil pan was off, so it was fresh in my memory. The plastic is a bit brittle after 15+ years at 200°F so it would not hurt to replace the sender, as it's not expensive. Mine survived the R&R procedure ok though. It was difficult to re-insert fully into the block, I was afraid it was going to break, but it did finally fit with a little lube applied. And yes, the plastic part only comes with the entire sender - only the O-ring seals are available seprately.

 

[TerryA]

Dave,

Thanks, I will post the results in a week or two.

I plan on doing this job around the end of the month.

 

[TerryA]

Dave,

Another question in regards to the oil level sending unit.

I plan on ordering the parts today.

After looking at the picture that you enclosed. Where is the round metal cylinder located? Is it inside of the block or outside?

The reason I ask is that I can't help thinking that the plastic part appears to be inserted from outside of the block? Am I missing something here.

Also where does it show the lead to the dashboard and how it connects.

It appears my parts guy at Caliber has the wrong part number for at least one of the 'O' rings also.

I have enclosed his pricing on a PDF

If your are around get back to me ASAP!

Thanks

 

[gsxr]

The round metal cylinder is located inside the block, it is immersed in engine oil. The plastic part is inserted from the inside of the block and tip pokes out the side. All this stuff is buried in the oil sump. One of the wires in the starter/alternator harness plugs on to this, and that is what sends the signal back up to the instrument cluster.


Good catch on the O-ring part numbers, btw... he has the same number twice, but they are not the same... you need one each 017-997-57-48 and 017-997-58-48. However, if you are buying a new sending unit, you don't need these O-rings at all, the new sending unit will come with the new O-rings already on the plastic piece. Wouldn't hurt to have spares just in case since they're only a buck each.

 

[TerryA]

Dave,

I think I will try the 2-'O' rings first. Based on the $55.00 for the complete unit vs under $4.00 for the rings. If I break the plastic plug I am only out about $4.00 and another days wait.

Since my parts guy had two different prices for the 'O' rings I think he probably just accidently wrote down the wrong number. I will correct him.

I am going to call as soon as I finish this PM.

Your input really helped clarify what has to be done before I crawl under the car.

BTW did you catch Prime's rebuttal on the Royal Purple?

Thanks Again

 

[TerryA]

Dave,

Thanks for the input on changing out the 'O' rings. With your pictures and parts list I got it done on Sunday. I got away with just changing the 'O' rings.

BTW you said you did yours on your spare engine out of the car. Always do it that way if possible

It is a little (actually a lot) more difficult laying on you back under the car. You need babyfingers to get the surclip off and on. You can barely see the wire connection looking up past some oil line plumbing or whatever it is in front of the starter.

I also mentioned this in the Royal Purple post but I wanted to make sure that I acknowledged your help on this.

Thanks Again