Fire hazard from oil dripping on exhaust pipe?

[Colin]

Sent: 7/9/2008 9:41 PM

I've found that over the winter a slow drip of oil from my engine falls right on to the exhaust cross-over pipe and has accumulated there. Now that I have started up the engine in preparation for a trip the oil smokes and smells when the pipe gets hot. Is this a fire hazard? and how can I fix the problem? Thank you for your help.

C.

[Oz]

Sent: 7/9/2008 11:49 PM

I've had the same issue ever since I bought mine and can't seem to nail down the location of the leak source.  When I warm it up, it smokes off the pipe for a few minutes and then it's okay.  Never had a worry about it on any trip I've taken. 

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Sent: 7/10/2008 1:40 PM

On 440-3 - Check oil sending unit located on the top/rear of the engine, drivers side, behind the intake.  If it is leaking, most parts houses will try to sell you the large sending unit that looks like for Dodge P/N 3488609:

If yours is the small type, then that big one will not fit in that space (been there, done that).  The one you will need looks more like:

Dave