Dreaded oil pan leak

nswsparky

All my stuff
Joined
Apr 12, 2010
Messages
142
Reaction score
0
Location
Grove City MN
The oil pan leak on my 7.3 seems to be getting worse. It leaks about a gallon of motor oil every 1000 miles. I am pretty sure it is the oil pan, when I had my clutch off I cleaned the back of the engine with brake cleaner and saw the leak was in fact coming off the pan seal just under the rear main seal. seems like every time I stop it leaks out about a 10" puddle, it won't be bigger than that though. I think when I am cruising it collects in the bell housing and when I stop it runs out. I have found out that it is possible to cut out that cross member and can get the pan out and back in, I know it takes a super thick putty stuff for the seal. Or do I have to have the motor pulled at like $1200 to get it fixed.
Anyone ever cut out the cross-member to change the seal and put it back in?
 

DaveBen

SDD Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2005
Messages
9,629
Reaction score
81
Location
Ukiah, California
I am sure someone has cut out the cross member, but with all of that oil under there you are going to have one BIG fire! Pull the engine.

Dave
 

DaveBen

SDD Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2005
Messages
9,629
Reaction score
81
Location
Ukiah, California
Cutting torch will get those rivets, but getting them back in won't happen with the engine there. At least I can't see how.

Dave
 

JLDickmon

ursus combibo
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
4,173
Reaction score
12
Location
49041
nah, you bolt it back in.. like the spring towers on older Rangers, Bronco II's and Exploders..

getting them out, you'd use a whizzer and buzz a slice out of the middle of the rivet head, then use an air hammer with a chisel bit to break off the chips..
 
Last edited:

nswsparky

All my stuff
Joined
Apr 12, 2010
Messages
142
Reaction score
0
Location
Grove City MN
yes when I had the clutch out I saw the oil coming out of the pan seal just below the rear main seal, the rear main seal was dry so was the clutch. I am guessing the hack that "rebuilt" the motor used the wrong stuff to seal it up.
 
Last edited:

RoyBoy

Diesel Dork
Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Messages
1,305
Reaction score
1
Location
central WI
Pull the engine. Cutting/ torching/ disassembling your frame is NONSENSE. :rant
There, I said it :lmao
Seriously, the 7.3 is a breeze to pull out. Besides, the only way to seal the pan RIGHT is to flip the engine over and let the extra special Navistar sealant cure for 24 hours. :sweet
 

Stroked68

This is FORD Country
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
1,013
Reaction score
0
Location
Eudora, KS
Pull the engine. Cutting/ torching/ disassembling your frame is NONSENSE. :rant
There, I said it :lmao
Seriously, the 7.3 is a breeze to pull out. Besides, the only way to seal the pan RIGHT is to flip the engine over and let the extra special Navistar sealant cure for 24 hours. :sweet


That sealant they use is awesome! My 7.3 has over 261k on it with nothin done to the motor and is dry like it was new. :sweet
 

Tbar

SDD STAFF/Moderator
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
2,673
Reaction score
10
Location
Texas
Have you checked the top of the engine for oil in the valley? You know any oil leaks here drain out the back and down through the bell housing.


Tbar
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
30,545
Messages
266,136
Members
14,673
Latest member
Doms350
Top