Is it possible that the huge oil leak I have that uses nearly a quart a day is caused by a faulty oil pressure sending unit? The guage works but I noticed the sending unit is covered in fresh oil. Was thinking my main oil seal was shot but maybe not. Is this even possible?

 

Yes, IIRC, quite a few people have had this problem before.

 

yea, mine went out on me going down the road a few days ago actully. leaked out 1.5 quarts in about 15 miles!!!

 

Mine leaks alot of oil and I thought it was the main seal but maybe I should look into this. Is it somethingI could change myself?

 

It isn't hard at all it is located next to the distributor and crazy told me it uses like a 1 1/4 deep socket or a pair pliers. A new one cost like $22.

 

Very simple to change out. And it can puke out the oil when it goes bad.

 

Hmm...could this be responsible for a slow leak at all? It's been mentioned that this can be a source for huge leaks, but is it possible for this to leak in smaller doses?

I've got an '87 with some leak issues as well, but nothing that major as far as the quantity of oil being leaked.

 

Yes, it can be a slow leak as well. Check the base of the distributor as it will leak from the base as well. I think it has a rubber O-ring that gets hard and the oil will leak past it.

 

Before installing the new pressure sending unit, I thought I would check to see that it was really the source of my leak. I disconnected the connector and started the engine. I could see oil being pumped out the top of the connector pins so I knew the unit needed to be replaced.
Had to buy a special socket for removing sending units as none of my deep sockets worked and I couldn't get a wrench in the space. The socket only cost $5.00 and what a snap to replace. Just unscrew, wipe the area clean and screw in the new sending unit. Hook up all connections and test. The operation took less than 10 minutes and the patient is just like new.

 

"Had to buy a special socket for removing sending units as none of my deep sockets worked and I couldn't get a wrench in the space. The socket only cost $5.00 and what a snap to replace."

Where did you find the special socket? Mine is in there tight and my socket won't grip it, figure the correct socket for it might ease the pain.