turned out to be the disk on the crank being gummed up with old oil.Cheer me up some more, why doncha!
Only joking!
Weighed this job up some more, whilst relaxing with a nice mug of coffee.
With the exhaust heat shield removed, so that the dog can now see the
rabbit, I reckon this job is best tackled from above, not from below
iaw the Haynes manual.
If I put a universal joint on the torx socket, and stiffen it with some tape,
I should be able to get the angle with 2ft of extension bars, to attack it
by going down between the 2 hoses to SAIS cut-off valve solenoid.
I'm used to working by feel when you can't get visual access, so that
shouldn't be a problem.
Judging by the size of the sensor, and the connector on the other end of the cable,
I don't think there will be enough room to route the cable in the original
run without removing the power steering pump.
I'll tie some cord to each end when disconnected and try pulling it through,
but I doubt it will fit.
So the plan will be to re-route it up the oil dipstick tube with cable ties to keep
it away from the exhaust manifold and over the top of the cam belt cover, rather
than down it and snaking under the power steering pump.
The best laid plans of mice and men, and all that.
But will keep you posted on how I get on.