97 mountaineer oil cooler leak HELP

[iancc]

First time poster, just registered. This mountaineer is the first Ford anything I've ever had or worked on.

There is an oil leak coming from behind the oil filter. It literally drips down the guide(troth). I ordered the only available "serviceable" gasket Ford has to offer. The block to adapter gasket. I've read that there is a couple more but have no idea what the part # is or wher to get them.

If there is a way to bypass this god forsaken thing please help.

Please help with either scenario, preferably stock. Thank you in advance.

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, and have you tried to tighten the hold down bolt yet? I just bought a 98 Limited that has a slight leak from around the filter adapter.

The adapter with or without an oil cooler use a long hold down bolt, and o-ring to the block. That's most likely where your leak, and line, is coming from. I haven't yet gotten to check that bolt to see if it might tighten up a bit.

I bought one of the oil coolers ages ago, and a new o-ring, but didn't need it then. Now I might like to find the o-ring and try to swap this in, since I'm also doing the radiator hoses etc.

There have been some rare reports of the oil coolers leaking internally, but that would only show as oil in the water, or water in the oil. So always keep a close eye on both fluids, to make sure they look and smell right, and are at the proper level. Regards,


edit; check that both o-rings are sealing well, there's one on each end of the bolt, one on each side of the housing.

 

[iancc]

Hmm... Do you know what size the bolt is? Awesome suggestion, I hadn't thought of that. Also, how do you disassemble the oil cooler from the engine block? I have never done this before.

Ill have to pick up some cheap oil to test tightening the bolt down.

 

[CDW6212R]

Look just above the oil filter at where it attaches. The bolt head is easy to see, it's about 3/4" at the most in size. That bolt goes through that large adapter and into the block, and there is an o-ring between. So that bolt can be loosened to take it all off and replace the o-ring. I'm not sure how much trouble it is to get the part out, it's kind of large and there is very little space to get it out of there. It's almost hard just to reach in and R&R the filter.

 

[iancc]

Dude... You are amazing!

So if im not getting oil in my coolant, or vice versa, the only part I need to replace is the gasket I already ordered?

I'm sure getting to said gasket will be a pain.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes hopefully. My whole engine front was filthy, I don't know how long the past owner had let it go leaking. I cleaned it as best I could, and was hoping it was the front seal. Now with an oil change I see a drip off of the filter, so I'm sure mine is leaking from some part of the oil filter adapter. It's likely the o-ring though, it's sealed besides the hole that mounts it to the block.

You will have to drain the coolant too of course, so plan for it to take some time to do it all.

 

[iancc]

You might have to replace the same gasket I ordered. I got mine for 0.97 from the ford dealer. Cheap. I just need to pull the oil cooler off.

 

[iancc]

By seal do you mean the one around the filter.

 

[CDW6212R]

I meant that the oil cooler only has holes for the filter, and the big one that the mounting bolt goes through. It wouldn't leak from anywhere else.

 

[Turdle]

Or----

This and a one piece lower radiator hose. For later ( 99-up) v8's Ford changed the oil cooler for these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/F87E-6884-A...ash=item3ac3845b6d:g:0KgAAOSwFMZWtE8v&vxp=mtr

and never worry about oil getting into the coolant.

 

[CDW6212R]

Okay Jon, I wasn't trying to talk him out of his oil cooler, though I wouldn't mind having a spare.

BTW, have there been many instances of the oil coolers failing internally? I want to install it in two of my trucks for sure, but I know of other Ford models that did have a poor reputation of the coolers failing.

 

[CDW6212R]

Oops, that picture reminds me that there are two o-rings sealing it, the bolt has one on the outer end too, of the housing.

 

[iancc]

OK guys after fiddling around with this oil cooler I discovered that rust had created a small hole. I JB steel welded it and reinstalled with the new gasket from Ford. Truthfully the gasket you can buy isn't really needed. Some black rtv will do amazing. The innards don't look like anything should ever have to be replaced unless you bend it or it rusts through. So far the jb weld is holding strong. 2 weeks and counting...

 

[CDW6212R]

Good to hear. The larger o-rings can be had from local parts stores, it's a Felpro #. I still need to go to Ford to get the small ones.

 

[iancc]

Thanks for all your help. I started a new thread about this damn moaning and clicking going on.

 

[iancc]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/97-mounty-awd-5-0l-moaning-help.447583/

 

[iancc]

I was going to upload the steps and photos to show how I pulled the oil cooler and how I repaired it but my phone fell in the toilet bowl... So... I'll have to write a tutorial without the photos. And try to remember everything.

 

[dmaxwel1]

Do you know the part number to the gasket or where I can get it today?

 

[fast_dave]

@dmaxwel1

Rock Auto.Com has it all...