smartin Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) I noticed a slight oil smell on further observation I see oil at what I believe is the oil pressure sending unit? the oil is on the lower part of the unit and to the left in the pic. and below there was a small puddle of oil. Since I've always known the oil from any leak to run mostly down never up and the unit has got oil on it I'm guessing it's the unit. Any one have any thoughts on this? Replace switch? remove and tape? Thanks Not sure why the pics turned sideways Edited February 9, 2018 by smartin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 what car? seems more like ACVS system part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) The leak could be from the oil pressure switch. Though your talking about the side with the oil fill. It's possible someone spilt oil while filling the engine. Id wash the whole area off with degreaser and then hit it with water (on a not freezing day) Then monitor that area closly for the leak. The oil pressure switch your taking about is the oil pressure switch for the AVLS so the ECM knows the solenoid moved and the cam profiles changed. The switch is just a pipe thread. So you can try tightening it a little, or putting tape on it if that's the leak. Edited February 9, 2018 by golucky66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartin Posted February 9, 2018 Author Share Posted February 9, 2018 2008 Outback 3000 mi. since last oil change no oil added I will degrease the whole area and see if I can get a better idea of where it is coming from. So exactly what part is that I am looking at? just below and to the left of the blue plastic unit? Seems like it should be easy enough to remove. If not from the switch where else right in that area could oil be leaking from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 do not overtorque that part - sometimes the casting cracks if abused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) In that area there's only 3 possible locations of leaks. Oil fill o ring. AVLS solenoid And the AVLS oil pressure switch. And the pressure switch is the most common. But as LT1 said. Be careful not to over tighten it. It's a pipe thread that's tapered and can easily crack the casting if really over tightened. Edited February 9, 2018 by golucky66 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartin Posted February 9, 2018 Author Share Posted February 9, 2018 What size socket needed?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) good point on the o-ring. Doesn't look like the fill cap is the issue though, too dry under there. I guess spillage is possible.... I once noticed I was missing the seal on my fill cap in my WRX, ordered a new one, THEN found the old seal had fallen out, most likely at the previous oil change! It was still in the engine bay. Edited February 9, 2018 by 1 Lucky Texan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) To be completely honest I'm not sure. I wanna guess it's a 21 or 22mm but I haven't had one out since the last HG job I did. Edited February 9, 2018 by golucky66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartin Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share Posted February 14, 2018 Changed out the unit today will have to see if that was it. Looking at how it was covered in oil I don't see where else it could have been coming from. Fingers crossed. I used a 15/16" deep socket worked perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted February 14, 2018 Share Posted February 14, 2018 24mm! Of course. I remember using a big wrench for something so tiny. Anyways. Only time will tell. Hopefully it be good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 AVLS pressure switches always leak from the wiring connector. They are now a standard line item on our head gasket jobs. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartin Posted February 15, 2018 Author Share Posted February 15, 2018 Thanks makes me feel a little more confident that was what was happening as it appeared the oil was coming from the top of the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartin Posted February 17, 2018 Author Share Posted February 17, 2018 Seems as the oil pressure switch was the culprit. No more leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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