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[PhilCavSRi130]

Seem to have developed an oil leak on the front of the engine, seems to be drivers side. I've looked at the cam covers as best you can without stripping anything off and they seem ok. Anyone any ideas if there is a common area to cause this? Going to clean all up at the weekend and see if i can pinpoint the problem after a short run.

[Markjay]

If it is in the lower part of the engine sort of around the lower pulley area, then it is likely to be the Oil Pressure Switch - the air stream from the front will carry it all around and upwards.

If this is the problem it is an easy fix as a new one only costs a fiver from Vx, but in order to torque the new switch in place by-the-book then you'll need a very deep spark-plug type 24mm socket. Otherwise a normal 24mm ring spanner will do....

[jonny2112]

Try the old favourite too - take the plug lead off and see if it's covered in oil ...........

[PhilCavSRi130]

Thanks guys if it ever stops raining i'll have a look at the oil pressure switch.  

Is it the switch itself thats problematic or just the sealing ring?

[Markjay]

Thanks guys if it ever stops raining i'll have a look at the oil pressure switch.  

Is it the switch itself thats problematic or just the sealing ring?

It's the sealing ring.

It was originally fitted with a copper washer, but these are not sold separately any more. Instead new Switches have an integral alloy washer. If you could get a similar sized washer you would be OK, but considering the a new Switch complete with the new washer is only around a Fiver from Vx, might as well get the whole Switch...

When I undid mine, it came off very easily, suggesting that the copper washer has indeed expired (it should be troqued to 40NM so shouldn't come off easily). So just a thought - perhaps simply re-tightening the existing Switch to torque might just do the trick...

[PhilCavSRi130]

Thanks Mark.  

I work for Unipart so we might do a copy part or if not the Vx dealers is only 2 mins walk away.

If it manages to stay dry in the morning i'll have a look and report back. Might even take some pics so can put it on here for others.

[Markjay]

If you go for copy part, make sure the pressure rating is the same as the original Vx part - it is stamped on the side of the Switch. But if you work for unipart, surely you can find a similar-sized copper washer somewhere...?

[Markjay]

Incidentally, you will need wither a 24mm spanner (preferably ring spanner), or a very deep 24mm socket - these sockets are sold as 24mm 'spark plug' sockets (Halfords sell them for around £6).

If you tighten it by hand the ring spanner will do, but if you intend to torque it to the correct rating (40NM) then you will have to use the deep socket.

[Markjay]

[Old Sweat-RIPscoob]

What exactly does this oil switch do  :-?
And has anyone a picture where I would find it on my 95 Omega?

I have changed my rocker covers recently, yet I am still getting a smell of burnt oil through my vents, I was just wandering whether it would be worth checking this???

Cheers Kevin

[TheBoy]

What exactly does this oil switch do  :-?
And has anyone a picture where I would find it on my 95 Omega?

I have changed my rocker covers recently, yet I am still getting a smell of burnt oil through my vents, I was just wandering whether it would be worth checking this???

Cheers Kevin

How recently? It can smell for a couple of weeks afterwards...

[Old Sweat-RIPscoob]

I had them done on Tuesday 19th of December, would it be the left over oil burnt on the exhaust manifold etc etc,

I think I need to power wash the bottom part of my engine to blow all the remaining oil away, then keep a close eye on it,

But as the oil switch is about a fiver I'm thinking why do it anyway, if it can leak???

[TheBoy]

I had them done on Tuesday 19th of December, would it be the left over oil burnt on the exhaust manifold etc etc,

I think I need to power wash the bottom part of my engine to blow all the remaining oil away, then keep a close eye on it,

But as the oil switch is about a fiver I'm thinking why do it anyway, if it can leak???

Plenty of things can leak. Unless you can identify it is leaking, I'd leave it....

[Markjay]

Oil Pressure Switch:

If the oil pressure in the oil pump goes below a certain value, the Switch will close a circuit and the red oil pressure warning light will come up on the dash. This means stop ASAP and investigate, if the engine is running with low or no oil pressure it will suffer irreversible damage within minutes....... very important thing to have. When might you need it? If following a steep speed hump the oil sump ruptures and the oil is lost - and I know of a similar case where the driver got stuck on a slab of concrete and actually revved the engine trying to get off it - the engine seized within minutes.

[Markjay]

And that's where it is on the V6: