Oil Leak? Not oil pan, not valve cover, not front oil seal.

[klcl]

96 SL1 (SOHC) auto 95K. This car has a slow oil leak maybe 6 -10 drops that I can see when I park the car after being driven (The oil leak drops near the oil pan drain plug and stops after the 10 drops or so). I redid my valve cover gasket and I am sure that it is sealed good and there is no leaks from the cover. I checked my front oil seal on the passenger wheel side and there is no leak there. I clean off my oil pan so I am pretty certain it is not the oil pan but somewhere above the oil pan and between the valve cover at the back of the engine block. Does anyone know the possible source of the leak? Thanks.

[johnny95sl2]

My DOHC was leaking oil out of the head gasket. Not a lot but enough to leave a few drops on the ground and coat the backside of the engine. Look where the head meets the block.I fixed it when i did my engine rebuild.

[klcl]

I redid my camcover gasket (head gasket) as per Wolfman's instructions and it is sealed good (no oil when i run my finger along the bottom of gasket):
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26532

[BarnOwl]

I'll toss out a few possibilities. The oil pressure sensor can leak, sometimes profusely. There is actually a rubber seal on the oil plug. That might be leaking. Oil filter not tight enough? Timing chain cover? There's always the dreaded rear main seal. It's rare but, the head gasket can leak oil.

[klcl]

Ok seems like i mixed up my terms here. I redid my valve cover (camcover) gasket but not my head gasket (where the cylinder head meets the engine block). For some reason I thought there were the same. Oil filter and drain plug does not leak. So it appears the head gasket is the most likely source of my leak since the leak is below the valve cover and above the oil pan and only a few drops after it is driven. Would the oil pressure sensor or rear oil seal leak this way?

[Bill Murray]

My 97SC1 has the same issue. (129k miles)
I've sealed the cam cover with great care and carefully looked at all potential leak points.
99% sure it's at the front (timing chain end) of the head/block interface.
I'm not going to do anything unless it gets many times worse or I'm into the motor for another reason like a cracked head or cam chain problem.

[amazinghl]

Pressure wash everything and put a oil dye in the oil, then watch for leaks.

[klcl]

Update. Got some jack stands and got under my car with the engine running and I could clearly see the oil dripping from the oil pressure switch (otherwise referred to as oil sending unit or oil pressure sensor). Replaced the switch ($9 at Advance auto) and no more leaks, very happy and thanks all for the help.

[johnholl]

Originally Posted by klcl

Update. Got some jack stands and got under my car with the engine running and I could clearly see the oil dripping from the oil pressure switch (otherwise referred to as oil sending unit or oil pressure sensor). Replaced the switch ($9 at Advance auto) and no more leaks, very happy and thanks all for the help.

Where is the oil sending unit located? On the firewall side i take it.

I think my consumption is a combination of leaking and burning, I see the oil on the block but no drips on the drivway. I did the MMO soak once

John,

200 miles to the quart [wadiya want for $200.00?] my Wife saves enough on gas driving this car to off-set the cost of 1qt/week