MASIVE oil leak, '96 5.0

[Camoman]

Newbie here. Have a '96, 5.0 Explorer. She's leaking oil, excuse me, SPEWING oil around the oil filter/cooler assembly. The seals were replaced at a mechanic, and it lasted 5 miles. I think the oil is over pressurized, maybe the relief valve is not working. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

BTW, the dealer wanted $2,000 to replace the entire filter/cooler assembly. Of course, this would not address why it's blowing new seals. Typical dealer BS.


Thanks

 

[section525]

Is it leaking on the block side or the filter side? If it's the filter side, make sure the old seal isn't still on the cooler.

 

[trucku]

$2000 dollars..!!!!!!!!!! Damn!!


Good Luck hope its resolvable by you and not the dealer.

 

[xmodster3o3]

$2000 for that price put a new engine in there.

 

[exploded99]

I would say relief valve, don't know if you can just get parts for that or if you have to do the whole pump.

The instructions I have say you need to unbolt the front axle and lower it as well as remove the starter - so unless someone has a trick up their sleevs its pretty involved.

However, the standard shop time for r and r of the oil pan on a 5.0 4 wd is about 15 hours, which is 1200 at 80 per hour and maybe 125 for a new oil pump.

Don't know if it can be done by raising the engine some to get clearance

 

[Camoman]

Is it leaking on the block side or the filter side? If it's the filter side, make sure the old seal isn't still on the cooler.

She seems to be leaking where the filter mount is split, I think there is a seal there. I haven't worked on it myself yet, it belongs to my cousin and I'm considering buying it as is and fixing it. I just need to know how much trouble it will be to fix. It has 140K miles but is running strong otherwise. If it's not leaking it's worth about $3,500 around here, in it's current condition it's scrap yard bound. I just can't see putting a new engine in it, maybe a used one. But that's always a crap shoot too.

 

[Camoman]

I would say relief valve, don't know if you can just get parts for that or if you have to do the whole pump.

The instructions I have say you need to unbolt the front axle and lower it as well as remove the starter - so unless someone has a trick up their sleevs its pretty involved.

However, the standard shop time for r and r of the oil pan on a 5.0 4 wd is about 15 hours, which is 1200 at 80 per hour and maybe 125 for a new oil pump.

Don't know if it can be done by raising the engine some to get clearance

You're saying the relief valve is part of the oil pump? That's been my experience with all of the older engines that I've rebuilt. I was hoping this more modern engine might have the valve on the filter mount or some place more accessable. CRAP!!

 

[exploded99]

Ya, I think so but hit the Ford parts counter and check fer sure.

Thats a solid engine and tranny. They can go a LOT of miles.

If you get a good enough price it would be worth the time to fix. Take a breather, get under the truck, and see if there's a way to lift the engine enough to get clearance to drop the pan.. A couple of friends, a couple cases of beer and some good barbecue, and voila you got a good vehicle.

Since you've rebuilt some engines I guess you got the wrench twisting skills...