Plug for oil level sensor

[magnum517]

Ok folks, had an oil leak sitting on the engine stand--Ugh! It was the oil level sensor that screws into the oil pan. Wasnt going to hook it up anyway so started to try and find a plug for it. The threads are a 20mm and just so happen to be the same as.... uh um.. a subaru oil drain plug. Plugged it off with the scuby drain plug and leak is gone Just figured I'd post this up in case anyone else is wanting to do the same.

[bobbya312]

Thanks as always-info always appreciated

[banzaibullitt]

Thanks for that!

[magnum517]

No worries, glad I could help!!

[banzaibullitt]

What model/year/engine of Subaru?

[JACook]

The oil leak can also be cured by replacing an o-ring...

[magnum517]

What model/year/engine of Subaru?

Its a drain plug that my work stocks, it fits subaru legacy, impreza models for sure from like 96 to 2008 all engines. Basically subaru has used the same size drain plug on all their motors for the last 15 years at least.

[magnum517]

The oil leak can also be cured by replacing an o-ring...

I had replaced the gasket for the oil sensor on mine, it was actually leaking through the sensor body itself. The gasket is only a 4 dollar part if that is all you need.

[JACook]

I understand. I'm not talking about the gasket, I'm talking about the o-ring inside the
sensor. It's easy and cheap to replace.

[KevinK]

I disassembled an 85 sensor and found no oring. Just a rubber sleeve around the connector. What size is the oring? It must be pretty small about 1/4" ID.

[JACook]

You didn't disassemble it far enough. All you did was remove the connector. The silicone
sleeve is just the weather seal for the connector.

The o-ring is deeper, between the actual sensor and the aluminum sleeve. To get to it
you have to remove an external-tooth lock ring using a pick, and then grab the center
connector pin with long-nose pliers, and pull out the sensor.

[zac_f83]

seems like a lot of work lol I'd just buy the $7 drain plug and plug it and check the oil weekly

[JACook]

OK, well... It's really not much more work than getting the connector plug out. About
a half-beer job on a slow day. But whatever.

Or do you just cut the wire off too?

[KevinK]

I thought it was odd not to have a seal to the oil but there was none to be found. Here is a photo of 2 different sensors which shows 2 different black bushings. Maybe there is more than one supplier. Any idea on the size and material of the missing oring?

[JACook]

That lower one looks like it has an O-ring on it. May be hard as a rock, and looks more like
a bushing, but... slide that off and replace it with a standard -07 BUNA-N O-ring and you're
good to go.

On the upper one, it looks to me like that hat-shaped piece was the seal. I would imagine a
proper size O-ring slipped over the nose like what's on the lower one, would do the job.

All the ones I've taken apart were like the lower one, 'ceptinfur I haven't seen any with two
lock rings.

<edit>
BTW, while you've got it apart, take some brake cleaner and a Q-Tip and clean all the carbon
and varnish out the center of the aluminum contact ring. Also sqirt the contact surfaces of
the float, and the inside of the float cage, with brake cleaner.
</edit>

[Johnny]

Ok folks, had an oil leak sitting on the engine stand--Ugh! It was the oil level sensor that screws into the oil pan. Wasnt going to hook it up anyway so started to try and find a plug for it. The threads are a 20mm and just so happen to be the same as.... uh um.. a subaru oil drain plug. Plugged it off with the scuby drain plug and leak is gone Just figured I'd post this up in case anyone else is wanting to do the same.

Thanks for the tip on the WRX plug. Worked perfect. No more leaks!

[Matt86GT]

I'm gonna try this too. Stupid oil leaks....

[Johnny]

Yeah Matt, I just went to the auto parts store and asked for a 20mmX1.50 plug (Subaru WRX or any Subaru. I think they are all the same), took the sensor out, capped off the wire and put it in the 02 sensor wire loom. No more leaks and looks great. You still have that Supercharger? Trying to save for it or another when the time is right.