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Oil leak in 01 base

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Old Nov 24, 2022 | 06:25 PM
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Default Oil leak in 01 base


I recently started to smell An awful smell after driving for a bit, and thought it was my clutch. After inspection it appears I have a pretty good oil leak that’s getting on the exhaust, and ultimately causing the smell.

I recently had the clutch replaced in the spring and while the clutch was done I had the rear main seal replaced as preventative maintenance, so I doubt(and pray) that it’s the culprit. I have scoured some sites and one thing that keeps coming up is the oil pressure sender behind the intake. With the limited view that I had of it, it appeared to be pretty clean. What other things could be the issue here? The leak seems to be on the rear of the oil pan, as the front is clean as the picture shows. Thanks!

edit: to add, this work was done less than 2k miles ago.
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Old Nov 24, 2022 | 11:03 PM
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Check the oil pressure sender unit, you can see it from above the rear of the left valve cover, behind the intake manifold toward the rear center of the engine. No oil should be there.
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Old Nov 25, 2022 | 05:46 AM
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Originally Posted by jim993
Check the oil pressure sender unit, you can see it from above the rear of the left valve cover, behind the intake manifold toward the rear center of the engine. No oil should be there.
I looked there and saw no oil from what I could see. It is pretty difficult to see it well enough to rule it out though. The silver bolt(if you will) holding it in is clean. Oil pressure is reading okay also, but I know it’s probably got a gasket that may have failed. Are there any other sensors on the back of the motor that are prone to failing such as o2 or oil level sensors?
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Old Nov 25, 2022 | 06:01 AM
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The cam position sensor is right next to the oil pressure sensor
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Old Nov 25, 2022 | 04:38 PM
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Is it definitely engine oil, not clutch fluid?
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Old Nov 25, 2022 | 04:52 PM
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[QUOTE=vette4fl;1605952621]Is it definitely engine oil, not clutch fluid?[/QUOTE

Seems to be oil, it’s considerably darker than the clutch fluid, and my reservoir for the clutch has plenty of fluid. This seems to be coming out at a good pace too, and my clutch reservoir level hasn’t changed. I haven’t had a chance to get under the car yet to get a look at it, but I’m praying it’s something simpler than rear main since it was replaced
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Old Nov 25, 2022 | 05:03 PM
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Ok, then that’s a good check off the list. I asked because my clutch quick release next to the pre cat let go…

Fingers crossed on your oil source.
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Old Nov 25, 2022 | 05:15 PM
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[QUOTE=See!five01;1605952676]
Originally Posted by vette4fl
Is it definitely engine oil, not clutch fluid?[/QUOTE

Seems to be oil, it’s considerably darker than the clutch fluid, and my reservoir for the clutch has plenty of fluid. This seems to be coming out at a good pace too, and my clutch reservoir level hasn’t changed. I haven’t had a chance to get under the car yet to get a look at it, but I’m praying it’s something simpler than rear main since it was replaced
When you’ve got time you should have a look under the car . Hopefully it won’t be something much serious
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Old Nov 26, 2022 | 02:48 AM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old Nov 26, 2022 | 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by See!five01
I had the rear main seal replaced as preventative maintenance, so I doubt(and pray) that it’s the culprit.
It could be a cracked plate the main seal is installed in.
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Old Nov 26, 2022 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by See!five01
I looked there and saw no oil from what I could see. It is pretty difficult to see it well enough to rule it out though. The silver bolt(if you will) holding it in is clean. Oil pressure is reading okay also, but I know it’s probably got a gasket that may have failed. Are there any other sensors on the back of the motor that are prone to failing such as o2 or oil level sensors?
I don't know what bolt you re looking at but the oil pressure sending unit screws into the block behind the intake manifold. It is not possible to see it with the manifold in place without an inspection mirror or fiber optic bore scope.
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