Tech tip of the day, oil cooler seals Options

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

If you develop a strange leak from the bottom of the oil filter and you know that the filter is tight, do not be alarmed. Look on top of the engine just behind the distributor and down into the round hole in the sheetmetal. You will see the red and green wire connected to the oil pressure switch. If you see oil around it, replace the switch and stop the oil leak. If the switch is dry, then the oil pressure seals are leaking, as the oil coolers themselves RARELY if ever leak. Replacement of the seals entails removing the oil filter, loosening the three oil cooler nuts, spray down the cooler with brake clean, silicone grease the seals and stick to the end of a long screw driver, stick up into the oil cooler mating service, push the oil cooler up against them, recheck the mating, and retighten the bolts, and reinstall the oil filter. It is that easy and should take about a half of an hour.
If the oil leak is coming from in front of the oil cooler, then the two galley plugs are loose and leaking. Stop the car and do not drive again until you remove the engine and replace these factory plugs. They have been known to, when loose, suddenly blow out, leak all of the engine oil, and seize the engine!