Archived Massive Oil Leak & Loss of Pressure

[SConklin]

When I parked to go inside last night after just doing some fuel related work on my truck, I noticed a trail of oil right out the back of my truck, and onto the street. There became a big puddle underneath it, with oil all over the underbody of the truck. My initial thought was a rear main seal, but, it is off the left rear side of the motor, and my oil pressure gauge is showing a total loss of oil pressure now about 15 seconds after startup.

I am now thinking that it is an oil pressure sensor issue, but what? If it were simply bad, there would be no reason for it to leak, and if it were simply leaking, why would that make it go bad? Plus, there's the intermitent nature of the pressure drop - it still reads good at startup.

Is there an o-ring or seal on the sensor that could have gone bad to cause this massive of a leak?

Thanks,



Skyler

 

[SConklin]

Also, could it be something other than the pressure sensor? I'm just guessing, but I can't tell exactly - there's oil everywhere.



Skyler

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Head gasket!? Grab an inspection mirror and check behind the engine. Also a puking cracked valve cover gasket will do the same (Mine did anyhow)

 

[SConklin]

Turns out it looks like a tappet cover gasket blown. Anyone have any tips on this job? I'm going to have to remove the VP44 again, which I just did last weekend. Oh well. Better get started.



Skyler

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Get the block and tin cover clean and dry (lacquer thinner works well) so the gasket will stick. Use no sealer on it.

 

[Nordby]

Don't overtighten the 10mm bolts holding the tappet cover on - it tends to squish off the lip of the cover in the corners if too tight. 18ft/lbs I think is the spec on them.



jon.