Good sized oil leak

[MacFrenzy]

Hi. I have a 1996 2wd 5.0 Explorer with a rather large oil leak. I only recently bought the vehicle and trying to find it is proving difficult because the entire undercarriage is caked in oil. Anyway, when I'm driving it doesn't seem to leak at all, but as soon as I start the vehicle or turn off the engine it pours it, and it puts out a lot... 1-2qts. The puddle is located in the center between the front two tires and just barely behind them. Any ideas where it's coming from?

 

[Jeff213]

Hi. I have a 1996 2wd 5.0 Explorer with a rather large oil leak. I only recently bought the vehicle and trying to find it is proving difficult because the entire undercarriage is caked in oil. Anyway, when I'm driving it doesn't seem to leak at all, but as soon as I start the vehicle or turn off the engine it pours it, and it puts out a lot... 1-2qts. The puddle is located in the center between the front two tires and just barely behind them. Any ideas where it's coming from?

I would check oil pan for a crack or a completely blown out gasket or bolts fallen out of oil pan?

Get under there with a few cans of brake cleaner and a compressor blow gun so you can try to figure out where exactly it is leaking from.

Check and see if it is coming from the bell housing where the transmission bolts to the engine as well, could be a completely destroyed rear main seal maybe.

 

[RangerX]

I’ve had a similar leak on my 4.0, caused by the oil pressure sensor failing and leaking big time, i have no idea if 5.0s have the same thing, but putting it out there.

 

[Jeff213]

I’ve had a similar leak on my 4.0, caused by the oil pressure sensor failing and leaking big time, i have no idea if 5.0s have the same thing, but putting it out there.

Oil pressure sensor on the 5.0 is up in front of the wheel and he said his leak was behind the wheels? Also it is on the driver side of the block. It wouldn't hurt to check it though.

 

[410Fortune]

Oil filter mount
Oil pressure sensor
Both front of the engine just behind the steering gear on drivers side
The valve covers and rear main seal as well as oil pan can leak out down the back of the engine

I’m sure you have confirmed it’s oil and not trans fluid?

1-2 qt is a lot!!! Power washer and some brake clean, follow the wetness to its highest spot.

I’m with rangerx on this one usually a big leak after you shut it off is a pressure sensor or something else that is fed oil and it stops flowing so it hits the ground. Valve covers, oil filter, oil pressure sensor