HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!! Options

[ne14914]

OK - I tried to change the oil pressure switch - hoping this would rid me of my oil leak problem, and while installing the new one, I dropped/lost in in the tin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

While looking inside, where the switch goes, I could see the oil, and it looked as if it was being syphoned - you know like gulp, gulp - and the gulps were in sync with the drips coming from up underneath the car.

So - I have two problems / questions:

1. Do you think a magnent will pull the switch out? Its not visible (IMG:style_emoticons/default/splat.gif) and if not - is it difficult to remove the tin? If not, how do I go about it? I took out the flat head screws, but the tin didnt move.

2. If it is not the switch - (it looks like its coming from the cooler - I hope not - but if it is, can anyone guide me through removing the cooler without dropping the engine? - And is there anything else I should check before I assume its the cooler?

Thanks - ALL help is appreciated

[airsix]

More work than you were hoping for, but well worth the time and effort. You'll be glad in the end (Well, I was anyway)...

Getting it out:
1) go to Harbor Freight and get the $40 transmission jack
2) Cut a piece of plywood to fit against the bottom of the oil-pan/heat exchangers/tranny.
3) Use Andy's explanation of what to disconnect and use the plywood sheet on the tranny jack to safely and VERY easily lower the engine/tranny out.
4) Tranny jack now doubles as a wheeled dolly for rolling the drivetrain around. You'll pat yourself on the back for being so smart. Best $40 you'll ever spend. Ok, maybe not the very best, but definitely worth it.

After it's out:
1) Remove the intake (all of it)
2) Remove the cooling fan and fan housing
3) Now you can remove the tin pieces.
4) CLEAN everything. If your pressure sender has been leaking for very long all the oil will have attracted dirt to make a very nice substance with the viscosity of spackling compound. This oil and mud paste may be completely blocking your oil cooler, and cooling fins. (see pictures below). Now if your leak is a recent occurence this might not be the case, but when I got my car it ran hot and this was why. Just cleaning this gunk out of the fins and cooler lowered my oil temps by a full 20 degrees (thats degrees with a C, not an F!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ) At this point you can also replace your oil cooler seals and it will take all of 2 minutes and there will be no swearing, bleeding, crying or throwing of tools.

Here's what mine looked like before the cleaning.
-Ben M.