1998 Explorer - Leaking from rear of engine onto exhaust (pics incl)

[Turkeybiscuits]

*sigh* I just got the thing a week ago and now have come across my first issue. There is a leak in the rear of the motor somewhere which is leaking onto the exhaust. After some light driving, I noticed a burnt smell and very light white smoke. Shined my flashlight under the car and saw this. There is a small leak that's going onto the exhaust. I chucked some Bar's Stopleak additive to see if it would help but wanted to get opinions on what it could be. I have the 5.0 w/automatic 156K miles. Maybe a bad gasket?

UPDATE: I got in a little closer and it is an oil leak. It is dripping from a bolt above that exhaust manifold. It's like a series of bolts. Bottom of the bell housing. I'll take a guess and say crankshaft seal?

This guy has an identical issue and his pictures look like the same when I look above where the leak it I would like a second opinion though please.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=349270

 

[lobo411]

Mine leaks in a similar way, although it's a 4.0 OHV. I dumped in Bars Leak Rear Main Seal Repair and that seemed to slow the leak considerably. It still leaks, but before it was leaking 1/2 quart in 500 miles. Now it's a few drops here and there. Of course, this could be a coincidence, but IMO it's cheap enough to be worth a shot, and I certainly haven't noticed any harm.

 

[Flash]

Bars Leak Rear Main Seal Repair helped with my leak.
I wasn't going to pull the engine for it.

 

[lobo411]

I wasn't going to pull the engine for it.

+1...I know what my Dad would have done: throw a piece of cardboard under it to catch the oil drops. Problem solved!

 

[Flash]

+1...I know what my Dad would have done: throw a piece of cardboard under it to catch the oil drops. Problem solved!

It was killing the grass.

And leaking on the cat and blowing smoke.
First thing I did was put a shield in front of the cat so the oil wouldn't hit it.

 

[Turkeybiscuits]

That's very helpful. I've read most people are living with it. My biggest concern of it catching fire. It's very light though, I'll monitor the oil level and see if the leak stop additive helps. I appreciate all your insights.

 

[Turkeybiscuits]

Just an update:

I had a buddy of mine (with far more superior mechanical skills) take a peek at it. He's 95% sure it's the Oil Pan gasket. He opened the freeze plug and there is no oil presence in or around it. I ordered a new Fled-Pro gasket and got my fingers crossed that will be the end of the leaking.

 

[floridacatfan]

I have a similar small leak and I am looking really hard at the oil filter adapter gasket or oil filter adapter. I'm on a 4.0 SOHC however.

 

[Turdle]

Rear main seal for sure.

Check the pcv valve also, if it is clogged the crank case pressure will not vent as well which could cause oil to blow out past seals.

 

[Turkeybiscuits]

I got the gasket in today. Ironically when I pull it into the garage, check engine light went on. Code reads bank 1 passanger O2 sensor. Got under, pulled sensor out, looked clean as a whistle, did a test on my multimeter and a blow torch, no reading so its dead. For anyone looking for a cheap O2 sensor, ebay has them from a manufacturer called Standard Motor Products (a Ford supplier so I've heard) and it was $14.98 with free shipping. I ordered a few and it's gotten some good reviews. Waiting for that to come in and I'll be changing the oil pan gasket and O2 sensor at the same time. I also ordered a fuel filter and grabbed a can of MAF contact cleaner so I can do a mini-tune up. I get about 12 MPG on 32" BFG all-terrains so thought I'd try to sneak in an extra MPG since I'll be under this thing anyways : ) I'll keep everyone posted. Excited to get her up and running in good shape !

The biggest concern is if that oil pan gasket isn't the leak and it's that rear seal. Fingers super crossed now. Thanks for all the suggestions, just need to go through each step

 

[Andyjman83]

Sorry to bring back an old thread bit Man, im dealing with the same thing, and boy does that oil reek when it burns. I am on the fence about yanking the motor but i really dont want to considering i was just under there a few weeks ago installing a new trans. I unfortunately didnt notice it leaking bad until after the trans was in because i bought it with a bad tranny.

Flash, can you give me a few more details about the shield you made to keep the oil off the cat, im considering something similar.

Thanks
Andy

 

[Andyjman83]

The funny thing is this engine runs great despite the fact that it has 240k. I gave it a nice tune up among other things this past weekend because i had to smog it today. The crazy thing is that when i looked at the numbers with my buddy who works at the smog shop, the numbers on my truck are cleaner than the 2003 f150 that had 100k on it that went right before me.

 

[Harpua216]

The funny thing is this engine runs great despite the fact that it has 240k. I gave it a nice tune up among other things this past weekend because i had to smog it today. The crazy thing is that when i looked at the numbers with my buddy who works at the smog shop, the numbers on my truck are cleaner than the 2003 f150 that had 100k on it that went right before me.

I am dealing with this now at 182K on my 99 mounty. I threw a bottle of bars leak rear main seal for about 350 miles (and about 10 days) and just got a 5W30 oil change at Valvoline since i was overdue. I can say the leak has stopped a bunch already and since I had some synthetic with additives and the bars leak in there, I figured I would run this to clear things up and also to see if some heavier weight also does the trick is killing it.

Like yours she runs extremely well and I feel more comfortable with the 5.0 AWD than my 04 4.0 AWD on long trips. actually, other than a taller and cushy ride, the 5.0 is a dreamboat on road trips. I really dont notice much of an MPG difference in the two.

so agreed with above, give the rear main by bars leak a shot. of course you are only addressing the symptom, but if it gets you another 10-20K on that motor without noticing much of drip its worth it. I am just not a fan of keeping the stuff in there too long.