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Oil Pressure Sender Removal ... How Much Oil Will Come Out?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by pingd, Oct 5, 2019.

  1. pingd

    pingd Member

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    Looking at the weeping oil spread pattern on the rear & passenger side of the engine, I'd guess that at least the oil pressure sender is weeping (and quite possibly the timing chain cover too (or worse)).

    If I tackle the oil pressure sender replacement this round of maintenance, how much oil is likely to come out when removed?
    Will it spray out or just dribble? Will it be problematic to thread the new one in?
    [I'd batch this up with a 5k miles oil change but I'm only 1k into that OCI.]

    I'm pretty sure it is only weeping, so I could just wait and gather more data (ex I've cleaned the areas surrounding the oil pressure sender).
    Again, thank you!
     
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Almost none, unless the engine is running.
     
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  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Sending units are inexpensive, worth changing. You shouldn't have any oil, except what is in the sending unit.
    It's not under pressure when the engine is off.
    I had one on my Chrysler that seemed to be just weeping. It wasn't. Once you start driving and under load,
    more oil will come out, and faster.
    Fairly easy to change.
     
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  4. pingd

    pingd Member

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    Copy that Dogman and Georgina - will proceed with it since I have the part and it seems pretty accessible with the wiper cowl and intake manifold completely off.
    Thanks much for the swift reply!
     
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    No problem. Everyone needs a little "push" now and then. :)
     
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Be aware that you need a specialized "oil pressure sender" wrench socket or you risk the distortion of the crimped area around the insulator, if it is not tightened correctly. That's the same place where the original sender would have developed the leak.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe it just needs reseal? Would there be codes if it was problematic? The attachment has test procedure, torque value, and sealant spec.

    As a mostly arm-chair mechanic I'm reluctant to argue, but the attachment just says "24 mm deep socket".
     

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    #7 Mendel Leisk, Oct 5, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2019
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You could put some teflon tape on the threads, but since it's a tapered fit, you shouldn't need anything.
    I also think they put some sealant on the threads.
    I don't remember what size mine was...
     
  9. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it
     
  10. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    The leak is not likely from the threads. Universally, almost all oil sender plugs use 1/8 tapered SAE National Pipe threads, even if they might specify a metric standard. OEM sealant with NPT are not likely to leak. The "o" ring or washer between the plastic insulator, phenolic in earlier days, polyamide (Nylon) or polyoxymethylene (Delrin) in current models have much higher coefficients of expansion than the mild steel body. High numbers of heating and cooling and high to low pressure cycles over time degrades the elastomeric seal between the plastic and the metal. Movement and friction between the components will "saw" away the contact surface. Notwithstanding that effect, aging of the elastopolymeric seal will cause it to harden and oxidize. That first results in a weep and eventually a leak.
     
  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Famous last words that result in catastrophic failure in airplane crashes and loss of life.
     
  12. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Or worse if it’s a failed diy
     
  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Not only with DIY but with many certified professional mechanics. The NTSB record and those records of many other investigations have revealed those facts.

    Just look at the current issues with the Boeing 737 max,
     
    #13 Georgina Rudkus, Oct 5, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2019
  14. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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  15. pingd

    pingd Member

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    I suspected the oil pressure sender was weeping (based on spread pattern of the oil in that area) ... so therefore qualifies as broken.

    To close the thread: I had an old oil pressure sender socket that said "fits most 1" and 1-1/16" sensors".
    However, testing the one I purchased, it was probably 15/16" (~23.8mm) and so the best I had on-hand was a 24" deep impact socket.
    I put blue Loctite on the upper 3 threads and went as slowly and "fully seated" as I could (i.e. using downward pressure with free hand on socket).
    As Georgina and Dogman advised ... a few drops of oil leaking at most.
    So, not entirely "by the book", but the best I could do with what I had.

    I will monitor it regularly once it is put back into service ... thank you all!
     
    #15 pingd, Oct 6, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2019
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  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    As long as you got it changed and didn't strip the threads, you did it right! :)
    It doesn't have to be super tight because it's tapered and will sealed by force.
    You can use Gunk to clean the area and rinse it clean. Then drive it and see if your leak is gone.
    Which I imagine if it was the sending unit, it will be.

     
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