So ive been having an oil leak lately. Used to be 40 at idle and 3/4ths on WOT. Then lately its been 20 on idle and 40 on WOT. 2 days ago it was at 0 on idle and 20 on throttle. So today I checked the distrubutor gasket and it doesnt seem cracked. Bolt wasnt fully tightened down so it shook a tad bit but now its nice and tight. So I started it up again and it was at 20 at idle then I hit the gas and it shot down to 0 and never went back up. Theres oil all along the back side of the engine, the bottom of the engine, and along the sides of the transmission. Its dripping onto the cat causing it to smoke everywhere (thankfully! Didnt notice I was on 0 oil pressure til I saw smoke) the engine is still full of oil (nearly) its just a bad leak leaking in multiple spots. Feeling along the back of the block theres nothing on the upper intake but right along the area of where the lower intake meets the block I can feel wet oil all along it but when you feel right below the oil pressure sensor ( switch? Sending unit?) Theres a puddle of oil right below it which would make sense maybe with it being that? Because right below that thing it dips to both sides of the engines where it could spread the oil. I dont feel oil on the sensor itself though but I feel like its probably since it runs right off of it. Most oil you see from below the engine is on the passenger side. Theres visible oil marks on the driver side but passenger side visibly looks wet. If you need more info let me know. Need this vehicle back up! 120k miles 4.3l v6 5 speed 2wd 2001 GMC Jimmy. Any help is highly appreciated. Currently to me looks like either intake gasket( please tell me its not ) or the oil pressure sensor unless theres more things that leak around there? ~ Torbinator

 

A leaking valve cover or manifold gasket wont cause 0 oil pressure reading unless the engine runs out of oil then it wouldnt read 20 also.

A broken presdure sendef would spew oil out under pressure.

My bet is oil pressure sender.

 

That makes me feel a lot better. Ordered that last night. Fingers crossed I really hope thats what it is.

 

Just hope it hasnt damaged the top end of the engine... If so you'll hear it.

the min spec on the Vortex 4.3 oil pressure is 6 psi on idle