Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 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?

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

Thanks,



Skyler

 

[Black-Smoker]

Check and make shure your oil filter is tight, one time the dealer left mine lose after he worked on the truck.

 

[SConklin]

It is not the filter. I have an amsoil system on my truck, and it doesn't leak. It is from the left side.



Skyler

 

[Black-Smoker]

Let it cool down and spray some degreaser on the engine, check the oil and fire it up and watch for leaks. It might help if you take the fan belt off.

 

[AKAMAC]

Check CPS behind starter.

 

[sg5054]

Like blk smkr said, clean the engine and check the oil. Flatten a cardboard box and slide it underneath, fire it up and let it run until you see the leak or drip. The box will help you determine what side the leak is on and control the mess. The filter is right front and the fan won't push it around that much at idle. The turbo is fed from the right and it's drain is also on the right. So I would track down the oil sender first. It can still work if its leaking. 15 seconds is enough time to build full system pressure and maybe push the contacts apart thus causing the loss of a reading. If you went for a ride before you noticed the leak it's likely that the draft from the fan and being underway sprayed the oil all over the truck.