this is what i get for changing my oil when it gets dark out, instead of just waiting till the morning with more light!

anyway, i believe i broke the oil pressure sensor...it's slightly above the oil filter and looks like it connects into the oil adapter. started up the jeep and the oil pressure gauge was pegged to max. it's fine to drive like this, right? i got a weekend trip coming up and no time to replace it. i'll probably be driving around 500 miles...

 

I would normally say it is fine to run on it for a few days, just don't try anything extreme while doing it. Did you break it where the plastic fuses to the metal, or did you break the metal? If it is just the plastic off the metal, you wont have a leak.

However, I would NOT go 500 miles like that, because you don't know how your jeep will handle going that far. They cost less than $20 and is as easy as replacing a light bulb. Takes 5 minutes, max. Until you replace it, you will have your pressure gauge pegged max and you will not know you are having a problem if you do. The pressure will not actually be that high obviously, but you will have no idea what it is actually at.

Also, it is your oil pressure sending unit, I suggest not buying it from autozone. Make sure you get the sending unit, and not the switch used for a dummy light. They look the same but install in two separate areas.

 

I'd suggest you spend $20 and 10 minute to put in a new one. If it broke its going to start leaking, BAD. Gauge reading doesn't really matter.

 

how do you replace it? it looks like it funnels down to a small 1/8" screw

 

unscrew it, literally. just get a hold of the metal with some pliers and screw it out. Just unhook the wire from the back of the unit first, and reattach it to the new one once you screw it in.

 

I use a crescent wrench. Any auto parts store will have a special socket you can buy, basically a deep well socket with1 side cut out. It is 1/8" pipe threar with like a 19mm head.

 

awesome...thanks for the info!

this is going to sound kinda stupid...but will oil come out when i unscrew it?

 

Few drops, maybe.. Unless you try to do it with the motor running, in that case all of it will.

 

When I did mine, the engine was warm, and no oil at all came out. Also, I had hardly any experience working on my xj prior. I think once you actually get into doing the job, you will see how easy it is. The only issue I had was I didn't have the right tools. But as long as you have something to grip it with, you are good to go. You don't have to worry about hurting the old one, and the new one, just make sure you don't accidentally grab the plastic, or you will be back to where you were in the first place

 

If you broke it where the plastic fuses to the metal as has been mentioned just crazy glue it back together. I`ve broken a few at that spot and that`s all it takes to get it working.

 

I did that on my first oil change with the xj. Easy fix just one of those stupid things I could have avoided

 

I'd replace it ASAP. If there is any structural damage that you can't detect, the sending unit could explode and there goes all your oil and possibly the engine. Just not worth it.

I recommend purchasing this part directly from Jeep for best reliability/accuracy/mating with your factory gauge. Aftermarket oil pressure sending units are hit and miss with reliability.

 

Thanks guys...I went to Advance Auto Parts this morning...picked up the part for $18. Took about 10 mins to replace. Most of that time was removing the old one. Couldn't wait to get the part from the dealership...I got a long road trip ahead of me this weekend.

Thanks CF!!