i have an oil leak and need help

[katarski]

i had let my truck sit for about 3 months and then went to work on it.

1st. complete front end work - alignment, bushings, ball joints, etc.

2nd. water pump starts leaking less than 48 hours later (hence, new water pump)

3rd. now i started 2 leak oil and have already replaced the oil pan on my own. now that it is back together, i have a new leak that is coming out of the bottom of the lower bell housing (access panel). does any body know for sure that it is definitely the rear main seal? any definite ways to check without making the assumption that it is?

i was also told by a friend of a friend that there was a high pressure aluminum line that went from the bottom of the block to the top of the block that pumped oil up to the top. does anyone know if this is true? how can i tell if this exhists on my truck or is this something for older non-turbo diesels?

thank you to anyone who could possibly help.

joe

 

[johndeerebones]

i had let my truck sit for about 3 months and then went to work on it.

1st. complete front end work - alignment, bushings, ball joints, etc.

2nd. water pump starts leaking less than 48 hours later (hence, new water pump)

3rd. now i started 2 leak oil and have already replaced the oil pan on my own. now that it is back together, i have a new leak that is coming out of the bottom of the lower bell housing (access panel). does any body know for sure that it is definitely the rear main seal? any definite ways to check without making the assumption that it is?

i was also told by a friend of a friend that there was a high pressure aluminum line that went from the bottom of the block to the top of the block that pumped oil up to the top. does anyone know if this is true? how can i tell if this exhists on my truck or is this something for older non-turbo diesels?

thank you to anyone who could possibly help.

joe

I don't know of an external line, but heres the options for oil out the bell housing.

Fuel, mixed with clutch dust looks and feels alot like oil, but it doesn't smell like it, so be sure.

9 times outta 10 any leak that shows up here originates higher.
Any oil or fuel leak in the valley will show up here. Also, there are plugs at the back(and the front) of each head for high pressure oil for the injectors that are prone to leak and will show up here. The fuel rail fittings are right beside these and can leak too. Those are the most likely, but, you could have a rear main leak too. If its a lot of oil look into the high pressure system, same for fuel, otherwise it very well could be your main seal. Good news is though a new seal is unitized with a wear sleeve too, so no worries about a grooved crank like the old days, the new seal will ride on a new sealing surface.

 

[action4478]

Did you have your fuel system apart also

 

[katarski]

the valley is clean. its definitely oil coming out. i thought the same too about the fuel and i checked the smell. as of right now, i am shooting for the rear main seal. i guess that while i have the trans out again, i'll check for any bolts to be leaking. thank you very much. i really appreciate it.

 

[katarski]

action4778,
the only part of the fuel system to be disconnected was the 2 fuel lines that ran along the frame and separated just behind the power steering box so the motor could be pulled. thanks for the reply. i appreciate it.

 

[MUDWHISTLE]

Check you actuator rod for the exhaust back pressure valve under the back of the turbo. they can leak too. also back of th engine above the bell housing It is oil applied and spring released IIRC. Just a thought.

 

[johndeerebones]

Check you actuator rod for the exhaust back pressure valve under the back of the turbo. they can leak too. also back of th engine above the bell housing It is oil applied and spring released IIRC. Just a thought.

Doh, forgot that one, take for granted everyone has done what I have and deleted it and plugged the hole or cut it off and welded it up. Also could be leaking between the block and turbo pedistal or between the center section and pedistal too, two orings at each.

 

[twildman]

Definately check the turbo pedistal, my 95 was leaking oil there and it took forever to locate it. When I finally did check it, the bolts weren't even finger tight, voila, no more leaking oil.

 

[katarski]

thanks guys for the responses and the extra info. i plan on working on it again this weekend. we'll see what i find. it just sux that to do most of the work i needed done to the truck, the engine or trans or both needed to be pulled every time.

thanks,

joe

 

[katarski]

i have an oil leak and i need help

this time i started from the rear and worked my way forward. after finally getting the flywheels off, i had seen right away that it wasn't the rear main seal that i thought it was. it was the oil pan again. both rear corners are leaking. passenger side more than the driver.

i have already used the ford suggested "RTV BLUE". then i re-did the whole job now using "RTV HIGH TEMP" (the redish stuff).

ford says that there is no actual gasket nor did the old oil pan come off with one.

next try is to use "PERMATEX 2B". i've actually made my own valve cover gaskets out of this stuff and it always did the job. yeah, the valve covers will probably never come off again, but they don't leak.

there seems to be an oil pan gasket for a 1994 non-powerstroke. does anyone know if i should buy this and try it. i think its the same block but different head setup only. does anyone have any suggestions???