Hello
I am working some of the bugs out of my restoration project this weekend. I have an oil leak .Its getting worse.The whole left side of the engine by the fuel pump and oil sending unit are soaked in oil , leaving big spots in the driveway,my wife notices these things lol .I took some time today , and it iscoming somewhere on the top , behind the long by pass hose and running down the left side of the engine.It had to pinpoint because the hose blocks the view.I figure it either the head gasket, the intake gasket, of the timiing gear cover gasket. I am leaning towards the timing cover gasket.Any Ideas aon pinpointing the leak , or in there a common problem area ?
Dave
Well, the best way I have found to track down an oil leak on any engine would be to clean the area, and keep a close eye on it. Oil typically flows down (due to gravity) and back (due to car traveling forward/airflow traveling rearward), so if you can find the uppermost & furthest forward point that has oil, then you are probably pretty close.
I had an oil leak on my 2.3 that left the entire passenger side of the motor covered in grime. I followed it up from the pan, up the side of the block and head, and found that it appeared to be oil spilled on the valve cover causing it. I cleaned off the grime and dirt with some simple green and water, kept checking it each day for about a week (it's a daily driver) and found it was leaking under the valve cover gasket and up through the bolt holes, then down the side of the head, etc. I bought a new gasket, and replaced it the same weekend I did my timing belt.
Good luck!
--Doug
yea I cleaned it and am watching.It looks like its comming from the fuel pump.I long time ago (about 28 years) It was leaking there and I replaced the pump.It may need to be repaced again.I will pull it off this weekend .
I pulled the fuel pump and resealed the gasket.Ill take it for a drive this weekend to se if that cures it.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's whooped now :)
I had the same leak on my V6 replaced the fuel pump and leak has vanished.
Good luck
Paul
looks like it stopped some of the leak , but am still having oil leak from the top.Looks like either the head gasket or the intake.According to the manual I have the oil goes through the head at one of the center head bolts. Can any one confirm this? If this is the case its more likley comming from the intake , possibley when the oil is draining from the head.
did you ever find the oil leak on the left side rear of the engine? I am having the same problem with my bobcat --2.8 --only 33,000 miles on the car
I chase oil leaks on my 2800 all the time. The fuel pump was always a source of aggravation. Due to what can only be some odd metallurgical properties of the 2800 block, I have found only two things that seem to work. They are both sealants.
One option is Rolls-Royce Hylomar. Use the real deal (not anything that says "Permatex" on the tube). Aerograde PL32 is decent choice. If you got it at the local chain auto parts store, it's probably not what you really want. Look to the import restoration and aircraft service shops.
My favorite sealant comes directly from your local Ford dealer. It's a product called Motorcraft TA-31. It comes in a half size caulking gun tube and retails for around $19. It is a product that was developed by Ford to remedy an oil pan rail leak issue on the Powerstroke diesel engines. I've used it on every surface of the 2800 with success. Even my water pump is sealed with TA-31. I paint on a thin film to each side of a quality gasket (fel-pro blue if i can get it), and assemble and torque wet. No fluids for at least an hour (or longer if you can). I try to leave it overnight when possible.
Your success with any sealant will depend on your surface preparation. Remove all old gasket material completely and clean all surfaces with chlorinated break cleaner (the nasty stuff that dries out your skin). Avoid carb cleaner (due to the oils), and water based brake cleaners. Non-chlorinated break cleaner leaves a film behind and doesn't clean worth a damn. You might as well use water.
TA-31 is what got my Pinto to the 2014 Stampede.
Theres a member i havent seen in ages.. even the sat site.. Wassup Chrisa850??!! :D
SR
I've been around, just not on the forums. Got the Pinto back in shape to make the Stampede. How could I miss an event in my own city?