2.4l, and I know the picture is fuzzy, but I didn't have my camera handy so had to use cell phone. There is a hole between the sender and sensor there in the picture, just above the oil filter. Looks like it's supposed to be plugged. The engine is wet around there from oil, even though I never see it spit when idling. The top oil pressure sensor (I can't remember for sure if it's the sender or sensor) is always soaked in oil. I'm trying to see if this hole is what's doing it.

So what goes here? If it's supposed to be plugged, what kind of plug do I use? Also, ignore that the air pump silencer is on the wrong side of the motor. Just another thing I haven't fixed yet from the PO.

 

That is a good question. As I too dont know what that plug is there for. Mabey something to do with the casting process. I do know its suppose to be capped off. Looks sorta like a freeze plug of somesort.

 

As far as I can tell, the hole isn't threaded. How do I go about finding a plug? I'm guessing it will be a metal one, do they sell those in various sizes? Can someone with a 2.4 take a peek and see what they have going on in that hole?

 

Here's a better picture of the hole.

 

Yes, there is supposed to be a plug there. Have you made sure it's that hole that is leaking and not the oil pressure sender?

BTW, it's a 2.8... 2.4 is a 4-banger...

 

2.8, you're right, and I know that. Fried brain lately. No, I'm not sure what's leaking. I've cleaned it up a couple times but never been able to place the leak. I was hoping to get this hole taken care of to see if it's the problem, and move on from there.

On a related note, my oil pressure gauge drops on anything above mild acceleration. In the second picture, the sender/sensor shown on the top has oil inside the connector. I'm wonder if it's leaking from inside, or getting in from outside since at some point in the cars life the clip was broken off the connector.

 

Only way you're going to know for sure is to watch while the engine is running after you clean that area up good with either a pressure washer or brake cleaner. Sounds like you could use a replacement oil pressure sender, however.

 

Those sensors are definitly something that goes bad over time. I can attest to that.

 

okay, I'm going to get some stuff at the part store. I need to get a plug for that hole, but I'm going to replace the top unit screwed in there in second picture. However, I don't think the one there is the right one. What I've read is that it's supposed to be a bell shaped safety switch. single wire. A fuel pump oil pressure switch is what my manual says, but I'm not finding anything at the stores....does it have another name? This is the only thing I can find that "looks" like what I need... http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...erm=oil+switch or this http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...3438&ppt=C0039

 

Also having a hard time finding freeze plugs the right size for this hole. It measures about 3/4 of an inch, (19mm) and none of these guys are showing plugs that size. Ideas?

 

First, the oil pressure unit you're trying to replace is either the switch for the oil pressure idiot light OR the oil pressure sending unit for the gauge. The fuel pump switch is the 2-wire down below it. If you're going to replace the top unit with a sending unit, the angle block comes out since the pressure sender goes straight into the oil filter adapter.

Second, clean up the oil filter adapter as said before and take a pic of it when clean. Post up the pic and one of us will be able to tell if there is indeed a plug missing.

 

Looks like the plug is there.

If it wasn't there would be a large amount of oil leaking from there.

The oil that is in that plug is most likely from a leaking oil pressure sender, which is common. If there is a leak around that plug, the easiest way to fix that is replace the oil filter adapter. It can be difficult without the proper tools to replace a welch plug like that and have it seal properly.