In my '89 IROC 5.7 TPI theres an oil leak somewhere in the back of the engine. It's sprayed a little on the firewall directly behind the plenum, and it's getting all over my wiring harness and ignition module causing studdering from poor electrical contact. It doesn't look like it's the valve cover gaskets, and I just replaced the distributor base seal. How likely is it that the intake manifold gasket has blown out? I didn't think that would be very likely, but I guess possible. Would it be possible that oil is somehow being slung by the distributor or something? What do you guys think?

 

The distributor base gasket, oil pressure sensor/switch, oil gallery plug, or rear intake/block gasket could all be potential leaks.

 

My 88 Z was doing what you are describing and the cause of the oil spray/loss was the oil pressure sensor.

 

I just put a new oil pressure switch in the car. I'm not smoking crack right? That IS the switch mounted just above the oil filter? I wouldn't imagine it would shoot up behind the distributor with any leak, but I guess it's possible since it is pressurized. I'll take a look at that tomorrow. Where can I find the galley plug? Thanks for the replies so far!

 

Look right behind the distributor. You will likely see a bell-shaped thing with a wire going to it. That is your oil pressure gauge sending unit. Replace it.

 

I'm looking behind the distributor rooting around back there and I just don't see anything resembling a bell! Might you have a picture of the thing?

 

when i want to find where a oil leak is coming from, i usually clean off the car, and either run it in the driveway, or drive it at slow speeds around the neighborhood then look to see where its coming from...

its alot cheaper and easier IMO then going around replacing everything hoping to find the leak. when you replace stuff, for all you know, you created another one.. lol

 

I just finished doing a search, and some people are saying that my '89 wasn't equipped with that sender behind the distributor. They say it was an intergrated swich/sender above the oil filter, which I've already replaced after a different problem. Can this be?

 

well, i have a 91 and my car is like that. nothing by the the distrib, its all in one on the side by the oil filter.

 

Here is the old switch I took out from right above the oil filter:

It's got a three pronged connection. Is this the integrated design? If so, there won't be a sending unit near the manifold will there?