Oil Pressure Sensor

[DarkProphet]

Hey guys. My oil pressure sensor is leaking. When I did my engine swap, I noticed that my pressure sensor was different then a fox setup, and also impossible to tighten, as its not a normal wrench or socket shape.

Heres what a fox setup looks like:

Notice how there is a piece that comes off the engine, then the sensor screws in vertically?

And heres what my sensor looks like:

Which is just screwed into the block.

Is it right to be screwed into the block directly? or should it be on a fitting like the first picture?
If it is to be screwed into the block, should I put some RTV, or Teflon tape or something on the threads?

Also, you can change the sensor without draining the oil right? I know the pressure drops to zero, but I didnt know if there was a check valve or somethign holding the oil up in the system.

Thanks alot!

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

The one you have is correct, and shouldn't require draining the oil. Just don't try to change it with the engine running, or you'll be wearing quite a bit of oil. I used some channel locks to tighten mine. I wasn't interested in going to buy the special socket for the pressure sensor from Ford. IIRC, I just used some Permatex Blue on the threads to seal it up.

 

[DarkProphet]

I've been thinking of getting a set of water temp/oil pressure gauges anyway. Could I just remove the factory sender then and replace it with the new one that comes with the gauges?

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

The values from an aftermarket sending unit are probably different than the stock sensor, so it may diable your factory gauge. With a T fitting of some sort, you could probably keep both, but I haven't personally done it to give any advice in that area.

 

[redmustang95]

darkprophet, i just changed mine, i didn't have to have to change the oil but i did any way. I borrowed a special socket from autozone to remove the sensor and put some teflon tape when i installed the new one. no leaks yet.

 

[StinkinLincoln]

dude dont use that electric oil sensor, ur wasting ur money, trust me.
go to autozone or somewhere and buy you a mechanical oil gauge, like $20, best $20 you will spend. the fittings that come with it screw into the hole, and you connect it, it easy, i did it in 30 min.

 

[Skidude69]

I bought a new one from autozone and it is much smaller in diamater than the old one. I was able to get in on with a standard deep well metric socket. The old one was a PITA! I had to take off the oil filter and the stud on the water pump and use a vice grip to get it loose.

MD

 

[1TallMF]

darkprophet, i just changed mine, i didn't have to have to change the oil but i did any way. I borrowed a special socket from autozone to remove the sensor and put some teflon tape when i installed the new one. no leaks yet.

I did the same thing last year, was still a major PITA with that special socket though, there's hardly any room to turn it. I want to **** on the engineer who put it there.