Strange oil leak from 97 4.6
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 231
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From: Clinton, TN
Strange oil leak from 97 4.6
So started having an oil leak from the front of the motor on my 4.6 and appeared to be coming from front main seal. I replaced the supposed failed seal, ran it, and thought it was fixed cause it would not leak after a few hours of sitting after running. But after running it three times, after about 12 to 24 hours a small puddle of oil was under it (seems to be slightly worse then when it started). So degreased from under the water pump down to the oil pan. Ran it yesterday, checked it when I got home, no sign of oil on the engine block, checked before I go to bed, still nothing, then get home today from work, and another oil puddle. Looked at the engine, and all around front main seal, extending past the harmonic balancer is signs of oil. I can't really tell if it just running down from the the timing chain cover just under the water pump or not. Its just so weird after running it an checking initially, there was no sign of it.
Any suggestions? When I had the harmonic balancer off, I didn't feel any groove from the last seal warn into it, felt smooth. And yes, I did put RTV at the end of the key way.
Any suggestions? When I had the harmonic balancer off, I didn't feel any groove from the last seal warn into it, felt smooth. And yes, I did put RTV at the end of the key way.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,994
Likes: 221
From: Wilmington,NC
Oil goes through passages in the block to the heads to lubricate the valve train. These passages are close to the edge of the block. I haven't looked at the manual to see exactly where the passages are. Sometimes the gasket fails and oil leaks from the area between the head and the block. Maybe this is where it's leaking? This does happen on these engines sometimes.
I had it happen on a 71 Pinto 2.0L engine way back in 74.
I had it happen on a 71 Pinto 2.0L engine way back in 74.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 12
From: California
So started having an oil leak from the front of the motor on my 4.6 and appeared to be coming from front main seal. I replaced the supposed failed seal, ran it, and thought it was fixed cause it would not leak after a few hours of sitting after running. But after running it three times, after about 12 to 24 hours a small puddle of oil was under it (seems to be slightly worse then when it started). So degreased from under the water pump down to the oil pan. Ran it yesterday, checked it when I got home, no sign of oil on the engine block, checked before I go to bed, still nothing, then get home today from work, and another oil puddle. Looked at the engine, and all around front main seal, extending past the harmonic balancer is signs of oil. I can't really tell if it just running down from the the timing chain cover just under the water pump or not. Its just so weird after running it an checking initially, there was no sign of it.
Any suggestions? When I had the harmonic balancer off, I didn't feel any groove from the last seal warn into it, felt smooth. And yes, I did put RTV at the end of the key way.
Any suggestions? When I had the harmonic balancer off, I didn't feel any groove from the last seal warn into it, felt smooth. And yes, I did put RTV at the end of the key way.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, TN
Yes, I put that on the key way. I know the oil filler neck had been leaking for a while, starting to wonder if it is gotten so bad it is running down that direction now. I'll keep you posted if I get some time this weekend to do a UV test. But if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.