I recently did an oil change which included dropping the oil pan so I could replace the gasket. To fix a leak from my power steering pump I then removed the pump and the bracket to replace the seals. I also replaced the high pressure power steering fluid hose that runs from the steering gear to the pump. I then started the car to fill the power steering reservoir (steering wheel back and forth) which is when I noticed oil leaking from the very top of the cannister containing the oil filter (see pic). I know it coming from there because I cleaned everything up and took it for a short drive. It looks like it is coming from the central screw, which I believe is the oil pressure sensor(?). I'm wondering if maybe I hit it when I was tightening the power steering hose to the steering gear housing because they are close. I put a wrench to the sensor but it appears tight. The oil pressure gauge is pegged when I am driving which was normal so it's reading a pressure. It all looks wet in the pic because I sprayed the area with penetrating fluid.
I'm wondering why this location would just start to leak and if its a consequence of either the oil change/oil pan gasket change or the power steering pump removal. If there was an oil pressure build up in the cannister I would expect it would leak either at the bottom bolt or at the o-ring at the top of the cannister.
I would appreciate any insight anyone might have. I'm thinking of removing the sensor, cleaning it up, putting on some thread sealer and seeing if that stops the leak. Thoughts?
