Possible oil leak

[Kjhadfield]

I posted about this before, when changing the oil, the pan looked wet and gummy. So I cleaned it up kind of and now this time when changing the oil this is what I see, wet but not gummy like that time (yrs and yrs of build up I assume)I wish I had a photo before when I cleaned it

Where and what should i take a closer look at? In my searching a few possibles might be a challenge. The oil pan gasket, valve intake something gasket, rear main seal.

I have a feeling itll get worse this time around. I was previously using syn blend high mileage but I found full syn high mileage(mobil1) at Walmart and grabbed that w/ Bosch filter. I have 165k

 

[Kjhadfield]

I understand better/faster with photos

Thanks for any help

if you need help on your garage door/opener…I can help you there

 

[mustang6878]

Sure looks to me that it is the rear main seal. That is the front of the transmission to the left. The rear main seals the back of the crankshaft, and the torque converter lies within that bell housing.Not a big deal in an automatic transmission truck, but if you were running a manual transmission, oil would be getting on the clutch plate and pressure plate and it would cause problems. If you can put up with the dripping, it is no big deal right now.

 

[Kjhadfield]

I read the rear main seal is done by either removing trans or lift engine out, neither of which I am comfortable with. Yes it is a auto 4x4 if that matters. Would a zoomed out photo be better for clarification? Or even 1 that's closer to the trans.

How much of not a big deal? Saying of course that's the problem. What other things can I check to confirm it's just the rear m seal. Or what symptoms will one have with such problem and when would it become a big deal?

Have read some others having luck (even 1 yr) fix using the bar seal/leak or something like that (I just read it and forget the name already)

 

[mustang6878]

I have owned Ford 4X4's for over 30 years, I have owned them long enough that EVERY one of them had some seepage or leaks eventually. My '84 Bronco would leave a silver dollar sized spot of oil overnight. I just put an oil pad down on the floor and lived with it.

You talk about adding a leak sealer to the oil? Take the 10 bucks and attach it to the toilet paper and you will get more results using it that way...the seal has a tear in it, the crankshaft rotates 2500 - 4000 times a minute...the stuff just does not work.

 

[swshawaii]

Probably doesn't apply to the OP's 2002 ST but worth checking. (4.0L SOHC Engine Built Before 4/1/2004)

OIL LEAK FROM OIL FILTER ADAPTER
http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/TSb/DownloadPdf?id=126048

 

[Kjhadfield]

Probably doesn't apply to the OP's 2002 ST but worth checking. (4.0L SOHC Engine Built Before 4/1/2004)

OIL LEAK FROM OIL FILTER ADAPTER
http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/TSb/DownloadPdf?id=126048

I read that somewhere too but just in the forums not the link. It only list 03-04 st, is that why you say probably doesn't apply? I do have a job 2 and build date in late 02 I believe. I'll try and visually inspect if I can w/out removing the manifold.

 

[swshawaii]

Ford TSB's are "usually" model year specific, although they have been wrong before. Check the adapter and good luck.

 

[Kjhadfield]

I have owned Ford 4X4's for over 30 years, I have owned them long enough that EVERY one of them had some seepage or leaks eventually. My '84 Bronco would leave a silver dollar sized spot of oil overnight. I just put an oil pad down on the floor and lived with it.

You talk about adding a leak sealer to the oil? Take the 10 bucks and attach it to the toilet paper and you will get more results using it that way...the seal has a tear in it, the crankshaft rotates 2500 - 4000 times a minute...the stuff just does not work.

I'm not worried so much for little leaks as I'm concerned if it could lead to a costly repair that could of been prevented or cost less

Yes it was some kind of leak sealer, and good to know. If it is the r m seal would there be anything else I would notice (I guess beyond losing some oil over time)? What would it take for you to say it finally needs to be replaced, excessive oil lose? How much is excessive

Thank you both so far, very helpful

 

[01STrunner]

It looks like rear main seal to me. Had the same problem on our diesel pusher motorhome. Not a terribly hard fix at a shop in my experience although I have no experience doing that myself.

 

[Kjhadfield]

Could I spray the area with brake cleaner without harm or is there anything down there I shouldn't spray? I want to clean it up more so I can keep a better eye on it.

 

[mustang6878]

Sure, spray away and wipe to your hearts content. Honestly, the leak is more of what I would call a weep. IMHO it is nothing to worry about right now, unless an occasional spot on the garage floor sends you into orbit. OIL loss? No, if that is all that you can see, you are losing perhaps an ounce of oil between oil changes. If you want some sort of idea how much oil that actually is, pay attention to the amount of brake cleaner you spray on the area before it drips off the bottom, it sure is not much. My '75 Bronco was bad, at times the oil leak would spash back on the hot headers and you could smell the burning oil inside the truck, and I still never added oil between scheduled changes.

 

[sr139fox]

I had a leaking oil pan gasket. Changed it, slowed the leak. Something else is leaking on the rear. Might be a hose (pvc valve) on the valve cover or the valve cover. Not bad enough to fix. Dave p.

 

[swshawaii]

Valve cover gaskets ruled out? Gunk engine cleaner and water is another option to brake cleaner. Better for rubber too.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=379036

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=379896

 

[swshawaii]

Also, make sure the PCV valve is sealing in the drivers side valve cover. The plastic valve cover tabs have been known to break.

http://www.mysporttrac.com/shared/msgboard9e.asp?BOARDNAME=MSG&VIEW=1342355

http://www.mysporttrac.com/shared/msgboard9e.asp?BOARDNAME=MSG&VIEW=1308392

 

[EvinH]

I have the same issue on mine and it's probably the rear main. Like everyone says, it's not a big deal unless you don't like stains on your driveway or garage floor. The "leak" probably got worse when you switched to full synthetic. It also acts as a detergent and will "wash" away any crud or buildup that was actually clogging the rip, tear, hole, in the seal. I would definitely check the other places like other posters have said.

But if you're looking for a fun time and good learning experience, have at it and drop the trans and changing the seal.

 

[Kjhadfield]

Valve cover gaskets ruled out? Gunk engine cleaner and water is another option to brake cleaner. Better for rubber too.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=379036

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=379896

I haven't ruled out anything yet. I went to a car wash place, sprayed simple green then pressure wash underneath. After I took a look at it again before spraying brake cleaner and noticed grime towards the oil filter but wasn't able to trace it to source. I didn't even think of using the gunk engine cleaner, which I have by the way. Which I can see as being a better options.

I'll look into the pcv

 

[Kjhadfield]

I have the same issue on mine and it's probably the rear main. Like everyone says, it's not a big deal unless you don't like stains on your driveway or garage floor. The "leak" probably got worse when you switched to full synthetic. It also acts as a detergent and will "wash" away any crud or buildup that was actually clogging the rip, tear, hole, in the seal. I would definitely check the other places like other posters have said.

But if you're looking for a fun time and good learning experience, have at it and drop the trans and changing the seal.

I actually just switched to full syn this time around (when photo was taken) not even 5 miles. I was just thinking it might get worse next time around.

I'm not worried about a little oil drop on driveway, I don't actually have a garage but I work on then every day. I wish I did. My driveway is somewhat of a steep hill, where it parks 80% of the time. Maybe that has an effect to where the oil ends too, like maybe it's actually higher up (I did notice the grime trail towards/near or maybe possibly above oil filter

And no, I'm not looking for a fun time. I think if I had to I would take it in rather try myself