Can you please help identify this oil leak location - pic inside

I have been on-again off-again chasing an oil leak on my 5 lug 2004 Tacoma RWD 4cyl.

The oil ultimately drips off of the rear of the oil pan. I thought perhaps a bad oil pan gasket and was thinking (dreading) about dropping the pan to check it.

This morning I snapped some pics by shoving my phone down low into the engine bay and snapped off a bunch of pics to see if it would help. I think I found the location of the leak but I am not sure what this part it - almost looks like an O2 sensor.

This part is on the drinkers side above the oil filter and perhaps a bit forward of the oil filter.

It's obviously this area is black and oily, I would hope the leak is coming from here.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Is it worth it add the oil dye and blacklight the area?

 

Looks like the oil pressure sensor/switch.

 

Wow, I think you are right! It also makes sense that it's in the engine block to detect oil pressure and since you pointed me in the right direction I see it's common for these to leak / spray oil.

Any guess what that cut off tube is? You can see it below the wire sheath of the oil pressure sensor.

Thanks!!

 

The cutoff tube is the block drain, you can connect a hose to it and loosen the bolt above it to drain the coolant from the engine block.

 

Ah, I really appreciate it!! I am seeing differing opinions on using teflon tape for the threads of the new oil sensor. Any thoughts to use or not use teflon tape? I just don't want it to leak again

 

Alot of times they come with thread sealant preapplied, if not you can use teflon in a pinch but liquid or paste thread sealer would probably be better.

 

Cool, thanks again!

 

I hope 'drinker's side' was a typo. laughs.

 

Use the yellow high temp tape or thread dope, it's approved for boiler application.

 

It's a shout-out to my favorite Youtube guy Derek from Vice Grip Garage. His channel is blowing up with his barn finds and revivals and his sense of humor and approach is very funny. Here is a link to his latest video https://youtu.be/phWT8DpUDk8