On top of the block in the rear behind the EGR there's a silver cylinder that I think is the oil pressure sending unit. There's a thick puddle of wet old black oil all around it and my oil pressure needle on the instrument panel gauge constantly reads exactly between center and low when warm.

Are these sending units prone to leak? Is there an O-ring on them or something or do they seal like an oil filter?

I checked as best I could with a light and mirror...the valve covers look dry on the back and don't really see anywhere else the oil could come from.

Is there something else to look at or suspect the sending unit?

 

The sending unit is a sealed unit. If it is leaking it needs to be replaced. It uses a pipe thread so there is no gasket or o-ring on it. It just screws into the block with some thread sealer or teflon tape on the threads

 

^^^^^

what he said.

 

Is there anything else you could think of that would leave a standing puddle like that? What else could be leaking from that area?

 

there really isn't much back there. when I rebuilt my engine this summer I had a puddle of oil too. No biggie. I replace the sensor when I had the engine out....no leaks yet....

 

Thanks Camper...Autozone has one so I guess I'll try to muscle this thing off.

 

good luck man. you should be fine.I'm sure you already know this but thought I would say it just in case as I have seen some real stupid stuff from "professionals" before.

Make sure to clean up the mess back there before you take the old sender out. that way nothing bad falls in.

 

haha...I had that thought too. I sprayed a whole can of engine bright back there and power washed it at the local spray-n-vac.

Blasted out my bed too. Man, I'd hate to be the guy that has to clean that place up!

 

If you really want an accurate reading of your oil pressure you need to install an aftermarket mechanical oil pressure gauge, the factory gauges leave much to be desired.

 

Also, sometimes those sending units don't want to come out. There is a special socket for 'em, but if you're careful you can likely get it broken loose with a pair of vise-grips. Just don't snap it off! This is general info, not Ford specific.
Pat D.

 

Man I hope I don't snap it off...that would be a serious situation.

 

You can buy a special oil pressure sending unit socket, but in my experience a 1-1/16" deep socket has worked well.

 

it has a head under it that u can get a wrench on, u need a short wrench though, its either a 1/2 or 9/16....

 

The sending units that uses the "special" socket is for the idiot light. The gauge sender uses a regular open end wrench.

 

hmmm, good to know!!!