QuestionThe spot on the oil tank where the oil seeems to be coming from has 2 wires coming from it which is what led me to think it is the sending unit. It is on the right side of the tank, that faces the fender. (The oil lines seem to be on the top side & front side of the tank.) There is a lot of dried oil caked up on the wires and the "unit", so I was reluctant to disturb it without knowing for sure that this is what it is. Thank you for any other insight you can provide.
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a 1982 Porsche 911SC Targa. There seems to be an oil leak coming from the side of the oil tank by the right rear fender. From diagrams I have looked at, this appears to be where the oil pressure sending unit is located, that the leak is coming from, though I am not 100% positive of that. My question is whether or not you can confirm that this is where the sending unit is located, and, if so, how easy or difficult it is for me to change this on my own, and how to proceed. The pressure seems to read correctly, so it is probably only the $5 gasket that needs to be replaced, but I don't want to spend $250 at a dealer to replace a $5 gasket. Thanks for your help.
Answer -
I'm looking at pictures and diagrams, as you are, and unfortunately, none are as "current" as 1982. However, it seems very unlikely the oil pressure switch, or even the oil temperature sending unit, would be mounted on or near the oil tank. They should be on the engine case.
What makes the most sense it that what you are seeing is either the oil inlet or oil exit piping. On the lower portion of the tank, these would seem the only connections. There could be at least one upper connection, likely coming from the crankcase breather. If you are seeing things differently, please let me know.
It would seem if you are willing to remove and replace the oil pressure switch, you could also remove and correct this problem. It sounds like an oily mess kind of project. Sounds like fun.
Dave
AnswerHi Dennis,
OK...there must be some "new" enhanced options your car has. No problem.
All we have to do is determine what those wires are for. Either they send oil temp or oil pressure or oil level info. For the first two, it would be pretty conclusive to idle the engine and pull the wires and see if one of the two gauges dies.
As far as the possibility it's an oil level sender, (this makes more sense for me)...I assume you must have an oil level warning light, or an oil level gauge?
Here's one idea to try...look at this page of this website and see if you can identify the "thing" on the tank you're looking at:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_pag
You're wise to figure this out before you start...it can really eliminate the car's downtime. And, by gosh...I know how you 911 guys can't stand seeing the car sitting still.
If I can give you any more help, I'll be here.
Dave
