oil level sensor leak?????

[swvapaver7274]

Have a 88 4x4 ranger with 2.3 4banger, recently acquired, I believe my oil level sensor on the side of the oil pan is leaking. The wire is broke and the little grommet on the wire is out. Just wondering if this is a dealership item or can it be removed and a plug installed? Thanks in advance for your replies....

 

[swvapaver7274]

I searched the threads for some answers before I posted and found some but was wondering the cost of the sensor or what have some of you guys done. I found one guy who just took it out and cleaned it and rtv it but looks like mine is leaking around the wires, thanks

 

[red75]

sw vapaver7274. I too have the same problem. cleaned it up and waiting for my friend to help fix this. I will post what we did as soon as this problem is dealt with. I hope you will post results of what you did also? Good Luck.

 

[swvapaver7274]

Hello Red, I have'nt done anything yet ethier, wanting on some extra cash. I was looking at this the other day and noticed oil residue higher than the sensor. I know the sensor is leaking but may have another leak too or just blow back and slightly up? It's no higher than the oil pan but from what I understand the oil pan gasket is a beast on 4X4, books says you have to pull the motor. I checked the pan bolts to give them a snug but they all seemed tight. I was talking to my cousin and he said his was leaking out of the oil pressure sending unit, have'nt looked at it yet but its a $5 item plus i was wanting to add a real gauge. But back to the oil level sensor i will probably pull it out and see if i can find a plug to go in unless its real cheap to replace. I check oil regularly and the wire is cut now(probably by previous owner to kill the light or something) so i'm not losing anything, but i really like to keep everythingworking right on the other hand so hopefully its a cheap replacement....

 

[swvapaver7274]

50 dollar ford item, guess i will take it out and try to plug the hole, oh well, don't understand if this item has such a tendacy to leak why auto zone and such dont carry one, oh well......

 

[scotts90ranger]

try tightening your oil pan bolts, they loosen after lots of miles and it'll leak, oil likes to accumulate on the sensor because it's the only thing that's there. If it's leaking and you want to get rid of it, take it out of the pan and JB weld up whatever you can and then put some ultra black silicone on top of that, should take care of it...

 

[John501]

50 dollar ford item, guess i will take it out and try to plug the hole, oh well, don't understand if this item has such a tendacy to leak why auto zone and such dont carry one, oh well......

I know this is a old thread, but do you recall if you were able to plug the hole. I got the same problem and it loses a quart every 1000 miles because of it.

 

[sheep herder]

I know this is a old thread, but do you recall if you were able to plug the hole. I got the same problem and it loses a quart every 1000 miles because of it.

You're quoting someone who hasn't been on this forum for over 10 years. You should easily be able to plug the hole, just need to know what size threads are on the sensor.

 

[John501]

You're quoting someone who hasn't been on this forum for over 10 years. You should easily be able to plug the hole, just need to know what size threads are on the sensor.

I didn't know you could see the last time they were one, I do know. But I did say I know it's an old thread. I'd rather revive an old thread then make a new one if it matches my problem well.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The sensor is just straight threads in the oil pan with an O ring, likely it's just the O ring that's leaking, I "think" I have one of the sensors floating around but I don't know where, my garage is a disaster... but a harbor freight O ring assortment should get you by, that and a tube of Ultra Black (or ultra grey, or ultra copper, you get the drift) silicone and a close fitting O ring should get it sealed up.

 

[Shran]

O'reilly sells a drain plug that fits this and the same sensor on the 4.0. I have plugged four of them because of a similar leak. I can't recall the size offhand but it's metric thread and one of the largest drain plugs they sell.

 

[John501]

The sensor is just straight threads in the oil pan with an O ring, likely it's just the O ring that's leaking, I "think" I have one of the sensors floating around but I don't know where, my garage is a disaster... but a harbor freight O ring assortment should get you by, that and a tube of Ultra Black (or ultra grey, or ultra copper, you get the drift) silicone and a close fitting O ring should get it sealed up.

Alright thanks

 

[John501]

O'reilly sells a drain plug that fits this and the same sensor on the 4.0. I have plugged four of them because of a similar leak. I can't recall the size offhand but it's metric thread and one of the largest drain plugs they sell.

If an o ring fails then I'll do a plug.
Thanks,
John