Can an oil leak be so bad that there is minimal pressure in the engine...or does that infer there is another problem such as a bad sending unit?


I have a huge oil leak at the Rear Main Crankshaft Retainer Seal.....not the rear main, but just as bad. Could this cause my oil pressure problems? Im getting the work done this afternoon on replacing the 2 seals. And i dont want to get the car back only to have a plugged hole but no oil pressure fix....only to have them do it again and replace the sending unit...not too smart about engines im not.

 

I don't the seal is affecting oil pressure, it's there for residual oil under just a few (max) psi from crankcase vapor pressure. A working PCV eliminates the residual pressure in the crankcase. Again, not to be connected with oil pressure through the bearings.

If the leak is bad, then get it fixed, but realize the cost to pull the tranny, and RandR it, might not be worth the cost.

As far as low oil pressure, check with a known good gauge (mechanical preferred) to eliminate/confirm.

I guess what I'm getting at is if you actually have low oil pressure and the engine needs to be gone through, then no use spending the $$ on getting the seal replaced.

 

oil pressure is fine when full, but i lose oil so quickly that when it drips its a murky gold....rather than black.

The rpessure gauge drops significantly upon acceleration....i will change the PCV filter today since thats so easy and cheap.

 

Ok, im taking the car to the shop today primarily to have the Rear main crankshaft retainer seal and rear main seal replaced. Should I ask them to locate my oil pressure problem? Is the sending unit IN the oil pan or is it somewhere more accessible.

Also, what other factors would cause my oil gauge to drop during acceleration?


any advice id be grateful for

 

I'm usure of the "murky gold" color...could be whitish?

Anyway...I think you may have other problems as well, the oilpump pickup tube may have come off. Describe the problem to the mechanic, he'll know what to look for.

The sending unit is accessible..either by the oil filter, or up on top of the engine on the block, behind the intake manifold.