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[mathewst]

I have a small problem.
I need to top up oil every 1000 miles approx ( half a litre) and think oil is leakin somewhere in small quantity.
Cam cover gasket is ok ( new one)
Head gasket is ok ( new one also)
No oil in coolant.
Exhaust seems ok
Cannot see the leak anywhere, only small quantity is felt at the back of the engine (although this can be the residue from cam cover gasket failure).
Read somewhere that car can loose oil on oil pressure switch.
Where is this switch located??? And how difficult to change?
Also any other idea of possible leak location is welcome

[Agemo]

Hmmm, you may not actually have a problem, Vauxhall engines do USE a certain amount of oil. I just can't remember how much, but half a litre every thousand miles sounds excessive. If your engine is losing it, there will be marks on your drive or wherever. It should be pretty easy to trace. Is your half litre a rough "Guestimate" or could it be less?

[mathewst]

Pretty difficult to check where it is loosing oil, cause I ha bad cam cover gasket and it was driping opil so engine is pretty dirty now esspecially at the back down part and around the gearbox.
It could be loosing less but not much less than that so estimate is pretty much ok.
Can oil be lost on oil pressure switch?

[Agemo]

Right, it does sound like it's losing it then. Yes the oil pressure switch is only screwed in, so could leak. If you drive through some long grass, it will clean the bottom of your engine for you, then you should be able to see any leaks.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Half a litre evey 1K miles is ot excessive.....particularly on an engine thats had a top end re-build.

[tunnie]

if i keep mine below 85mph it hardly uses anythihng, but long runs at 90+ and it uses quite a bit.

[mathewst]

Can anybody tell me the location of oil pressure switch so I can chec (well Marks it's better to check to be sure)

[swamp rat]

On the 2.2 the oil pressure switch is behind the oil filter assembly. The oil filter connects to the heat exchanger and this all bolts on to the oil pump. The pressure switch sticks out of the side of the oil pump with a single wire plugged in to the end. I replaced mine recently as the switch itself was leaking oil, not the gasket. Mind you there are 2 gaskets in there too which can leak - one on the heat exchanger and one on the oil pump.

[swamp rat]

Forgot to mention, if your oil pressure switch is leaking it will be obvious. Start the engine and let it warm up a bit. Then lie under the car and watch. Any leaks around that area will probably drip straight to the ground.

[mathewst]

Thanks swamp rat.
Was it easy to change or??

[swamp rat]

Not very easy to change - not much room to get a spanner or anything on to it. I ended up with a deep socket (26mm), a short extension and 2 universal joints. Also use a torch - the wire which plugs in has a clip on it which goes over the switch body.