Oil on top of motor, pass. side

utahmtnboy · Post by **utahmtnboy** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:55 pm

Trying to figure out what's leaking oil on my '95 Legacy (EJ22). I've partially cleaned the engine (lots of gunk) and I'm finding a good amount on top of the engine on the passenger side. The (knock?) sensor under the alt. was a little wet, but didn't seem likely to be leaking enough to produce the amount of oil I'm seeing. Going to do the valve cover, but wondering if it's likely to be something else. PCV? I've google a bunch, but haven't seen any posts about oil on top of the engine. It's pooling on the top, towards the rear, then running down the back and onto the exhaust.

Thanks in advance.

SiCkSTi04 · Post by **SiCkSTi04** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:15 pm

check the oil pressure switch that sits below the alternator or its leaking from the power steering pump itself or the hoses. front seals maybe?

dscoobydoo · Post by **dscoobydoo** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:54 pm

I would clean the crap out of the area and then run it for a bit and see where it puddles.

There are a few PCV lines and other things that run around that area.

SLODRIVE · Post by **SLODRIVE** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 5:24 pm

That sensor under the alternator is indeed the oil pressure switch, as stated above. If it's wet, I would change it regardless. That sensor threads right into the oil gallery so it's got quite a bit of pressure behind it. A little wetness now can mean a big leak from there later, and it's possible the radiator fans have been blowing the oil leaking from it rearward.

94.GT.Wagon · Post by **94.GT.Wagon** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:11 pm

When my oil pressure sending unit was leaking I had a decent puddle of oil on the top of my engine, passenger side.

utahmtnboy · Post by **utahmtnboy** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:36 am

Thanks, all. I'm going to install a new oil pressure sensor, and valve cover gaskets, then see where I'm at.

utahmtnboy · Post by **utahmtnboy** » Fri May 08, 2009 3:03 pm

Just wanted to post a followup. The oil pressure switch seemed to be the culprit. I still have a small drip, but the switch was major cause before. Also replaced valve cover seals on the passenger side as well as the rear cam cap seal. All were quite stiff. Next, I plan to do the timing belt, water pump and oil seals.

Thanks for the help.

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:13 pm

Did you replace the rubber grommet on the valve cover bolts?

Those tend to be the problem over the actual valve cover gasket.

utahmtnboy · Post by **utahmtnboy** » Mon May 11, 2009 5:05 pm

Yes, I did those as well. They were harder than the actual gasket so I can see why they fail more often.

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Oil on top of motor, pass. side

Oil on top of motor, pass. side