Hello,

I have combed through the threads and posts, but I still need confimation!

I have a leak coming through the bolt at my crankshaft position sensor. I unplugged and checked the wiring connection and it is full of oil. I get the PO336 code each time I start the car. So, it sounds like the CPS has failed. Will I need to replace the wiring harness or will this type of connection work if the oil is cleaned out?

Second, I have a passenger side oil leak I have not identified. Smokes oil on the exhaust pipe and sends oil down on top of the starter and the lower suspension connections on the passenger side. Stops leaking when the car is not running. I checked behind the engine for oil, reaching as far down behind it as I can. No oil or any significant grease. Could I still have a intake gasket leak? I replaced the PCV valve yesterday, the old one was gunky but still rattled. Is there anything else it could be besides a leak at the dipstick hole?

 

Once your seals are replaced and anything else, you can clean the connector out with IPA and an acid brush or Q-tips, make sure to use compressed air and blow out any FOD that may be in there.

Also, with a strong light, use a mirror and check the back of the intake and also the passenger side head and valve cover. Contrary to popular opinion, it IS possible for oil to leak from the head mating surface without having a blown gasket.

 

Also check your valve covers.

An option for trying the locate the leak is to add dye to the oil, then use a UV light to trace where it is coming from.

 

I will be troubleshooting this weekend and I'll post what I find

 

Based on where the oil is collecting - exhaust, starter - first place to look would be the valve cover, toward the back end. Check the oil pressure sensor, it's more toward the driver side, but could spray toward the passenger side. Generally the intake manifold leak (no gasket, just a bead of silicon sealer) can be detected by wiping the back of the engine with a paper towel.

Since you mentioned the PCV valve seemed "gunky", you may have been building pressure in the crankcase. That would exacerbate the intake manifold leak, or might be forcing oil out of the grommet/plastic elbow toward the rear of the passenger side valve cover. Check the rubber hose from the throttle body to the valve cover plastic elbow for heavy oil buildup.

 

No replacement needed, will still work even if the oil is left in.

 

So far I have found oil and grease on the valve cover at the pcv line grommet. I used a mirror and looked at the rear intake, rear of valve cover and spark plugs for oil and I found none. There is oil and grease on the outside of the valve cover. I'm not convinced this is the leak though. I haven't started it yet.

 

Here's a good photo of the rear of the engine, from Shoebox, to give you a better idea of what’s going on back there:

http://shbox.com/1/oil_pressure_sensor.jpg