1987 festiva L oil leak between engine and firewall

[Dwane]

I have a serious oil leak somewhere under the intake manifold, throws all oil out but one quart in 60 miles. its hard to see up in there but the oil filter is NOT leaking and it doesnt leak at an idle only under a load. Does anyone know what this might be? and it is under the intake not on top valve cover gasket is not the issue. Thanks

[htchbck]

I will say probably the oil pressure warning light switch. Its under the intake near the manifold. There is a thread on here with a few pics and tips on changing it. Just search for "oil pressure switch". If it is the oil pressure switch it will leak very quickly since its under pressure when the engine is running, but hardly at all with the engine off.

[georgeb]

^Only thing back there besides filter.

[Dwane]

Thank you I will check on that, I had my suspicions about that very thing but I thought it would leak at an idle.

[WmWatt]

If it's leaking try backing it out half way and wrapping the threads with white plumber's tape. You won't need to drain the oil ( if you have any left ). I read about it when searching the Internet for a solution to a leaking brake bleeder nipple. It worked. Brake fluid is under more pressure than motor oil so it should work.

[Pu241]

If it's leaking try backing it out half way and wrapping the threads with white plumber's tape. You won't need to drain the oil ( if you have any left ). I read about it when searching the Internet for a solution to a leaking brake bleeder nipple. It worked. Brake fluid is under more pressure than motor oil so it should work.

"white plumbers tape" = PTFE tape

More than likely this isn't going to solve the issue.
I suspect a catastrophic failure in the sensor itself.
This has happened to other members.
That said, I'd still see if backing it out and wrapping it with PTFE tape works.
Be prepared to remove and replace the pressure sensor.

[Dwane]

it hasd 250 thousand miles on it so I susspect replacing would save some time but thanks for the suggestion and help. would be nice to have more room in there but this has been the best free car I have ever recieved :-).

[DriverOne]

A free Festiva is the best in the world!

[htchbck]

If you take the alternator out it will give you a LOT more room to work back there. Takes a couple extra mins, but your knuckles and wrists will thank you for it

[JoDan]

Well if your guna crawl under there and back the sensor out to wrap it you might as well just replace it. I think their only like $15

[zoe60]

Mine was pretty easy to get to. Just put the car on ramps and go for it.