It looks like both. Coolant in the front and oil under the sensor above the plug. But why would that be leaking?

 

Start fixing the problems you know about. Check the resistance of the coolant temp sensor in the drivers side head. Then verify that you have 12V reference between the single wire to the sensor and a ground. If the sensor and wiring are OK, then focus on the gauge. If you removed the needles, and didn't put them back on correctly, the gauges may all be "off". If you damaged the gauge when you removed the needle, you may need to replace it, or the cluster. At least then you will be able to tell what the operating temperature of the engine is.

The alternative is to get a scanner or scan software, so you can read the coolant temp directly from the PCM.

Why would the oil level sensor leak? Its screws into the pan and has a seal and could leak. Might be loose. Maybe the sensor itself is cracked, and the oils leaking out of the body. You have to look things over closely. Clean the area around the sensor carefully and completely with brake cleaner. Run the engine, and look for a leak. That's about the only way you can find it.

Coolant level light on all the time...... FIX IT. Try cleaning the sensor, and if that doesn't work, replace the sensor. This assumes when you check the radiator level (not the level in the reservoir), it is full, and not low.

Now you only have the coolant leak to focus on. Again, clean things off (don't get the Opti wet), so you can look for leaks. Did you check the weep holes in the water pump? Have you examined all the hoses? Have you checked the reservoir for cracks? Check the bottom radiator support. If the radiator leaks, it will collect on the support, and may drip off in a different loaction than the leak.

 

Thanks Injuneer, just looked at the leak. It looks like its leaking from the water pump where it bolts onto the engine and dripping down to the pan and then running to the oil sensor above the plug thus mixing with the grease around it and creating an oily look on the ground. So I might be dealing with just one pain in the *** leak! I am going to replace the pump but am debating on whether to do it myself or have a good shop do it. Any idea how much a shop would cost to do this as well as check out the cooling system(hoses,radiator,etc)? Also if I do it myself should I get a quality pump such as Edelbrock or just an OEM?

 

Just out of curiosity Injuneer, how do you correctly put the needles back on. Is there a certain technique to it? I know that you have to fit them onto the tiny stem inside the cluster, but is there a certain way to adjust them so that they read correctly or is it a sensor problem?

 

I have no idea how to adjust the needles on the dash gauges. I never found any reason to take my stock cluster apart.

 

Yes, I put black RTV on the corners of my oil pan in the four corners. It is leaking, but I don't know if it's leaking from there or somewhere else. I'm gonna get a chance to look at it in the next few days. I hate oil leaks, i'll do whatever it takes to fix them.

 

Scotty Pm sent

 

Well finally might have fixed it for good! Ill have to keep an eye on things but I replaced the w/p with a lifetime GM w/p from O'reillys, a cap and rotor from MSD and a Blaster Coil from MSD. Ran great last night! Had it almost completely sideways coming out of the drive onto the highway!! Thanks for all the help! Will update if something comes up.

 

Just wanted to update that I found my oil leak. The pcv valve hose was pinched and building pressure in the crankcase. It was forcing oil out the water pump drive shaft seal, leaking all the time. Put on a new hose and it hasn't leaked a drop since.