Oil leak at engine sensor

Ken M · May 11, 2020

I have oil leaking at a sensor as shown in the photo. I am unsure of what sensor this is and if it is easily replaceable by my hands. The oil leak is not at the engine connection, but in the body of the sensor at the location shown by the arrows in the close-up photo. What sensor or valve is this? Thanks for any info or advice for removal/replacement. Ken

Blogson · May 11, 2020

Did you clean the oil from where you suggest that it is leaking? Could not see any oil apart from what appears to be an accumulation of what might be years of slight seepage of oil and dust. If there is fresh oil, is it certain that it is actually coming from the sensor itself?

Ken M · May 11, 2020

While the engine is running, the oil drips from the arrow location, at the bottom of the black ring that is part of the body of the sensor. It is a constant at almost 1 drip per second.

Ken M · May 11, 2020

I took it off and this is what it looks like up close. Anyone know what sensor this might be based upon the location and appearance? Oil was leaking b/w the grey composite and the steel, so I guess replacing whatever this is will be the answer.

DL175 · May 11, 2020

That is an oil pressure switch. When it leaks then time to change for a new one.

Lucas123 · May 11, 2020

I had the same problem a few years back. Seems and looks serious but it's an easy fix.

kevcules46 · May 11, 2020

I was told today at my vehicle inspection for my Corolla that my oil pressure switch was also leaking. He said that when they start to leak, they get worse quickly. Best to change it asap .

Ken M · May 12, 2020

Thanks all. Bought the oil pressure switch for $27 🇨🇦and changed it out. Not sure what this cost would have been going to a mechanic, but likely saved a bundle. My Haynes manual didn't even tell me what this part was, let alone changing it; and finding a good engine diagram for this car was an unfulfilled search.

Michaelno · Apr 11, 2024

What spanner type and size is needed?

bond666 · Oct 18, 2021

Hi, I have the same problem. did changing th switch fix the problem. which size socket did u use to remove it?

NGOmarty · Jan 22, 2022

Just discovered same issue on my wife's Rav4 - after the loss of most of the oil! Unbelievable that this should be an issue with these. So close to losing the engine!

Emietz · Apr 25, 2022

I had the same exact experience with my wife's 2014 rav yesterday 4/24/22. Scary man. Luckily Napa had one in stock. Installed. Took roughly 4.2 quarts of oil to get it back to level. Probably only half a quart of oil in that engine total. Upon realizing what caused the leak. I'm just baffled by how 4 quarts of oil manged to spray and spread everywhere as it did. This all was 3 hours from home of course. 200 miles since replacement yesterday back home and to work for her today (Monday) engine sounds good. Oil level is right where I left it. Scary to think a cheap sensor/switch can result in ultimate destruction. What pisses me off is the low oil level light never chimed or illuminated. I feel it would have. But who knows. We caught it just in time.

Robertames · May 25, 2022

same issue, knew what it was seems to leak faster when pressure builds up. should be recall. i tightened it and lock tight broke loose. leaked even more. pretty reliable vehicle otherwise.
leaked onto serpentine belt and made awd sensor and check engine go off. which is how i discovered it. otherwise would have ran empty in day or 2.

Oil leak at engine sensor

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