I have been reading that the 5.4 engines have been having problems with oil leaks in between the heads and block. I had noticed some oil in that spot in my truck. Is some oil normal? When do you know if it becomes a serious problem? When they mean an oil leak, Is it like a large amount (drops enough to soak up a rag) or in the floor? As I mentioned there is some in between my heads and block.

Later

 

The Head leak mentioned is usually pass side rear and I never had any oil hit the ground it was hitting the cats and burning...

Doug

 

Same here. Had it fixed and all is well..........Knock on wood.

 

Yep..the line forms around the block.

 

hmm,, oil is noticeable big time,,, took several looks at engine,, only thing is last time i changed oil I did spill a good half quart ( stupid me ) leaves it up for speculation, does anyone know anyway I can tell for sure??

~Toast

 

So what is the bottom line? Should I be concerned with a little oil between the heads and block? Is it normal to have some oil there? Or should I take it to the dealer? What is the fix?

 

Drive it till for about 2 months before the new ones hit the dealers. Then have them put in a crate engine. They may try and put in new gaskets...pursue the crate engine. Story is a as soon as the new 03 hits the streets the crate engine will become a long block. A remanned possibly. Make damn sure they check both decks for flatness and if it`s out more than a thousanth demand the Crate engine. I have been there done that..etc.

 

It has had a little oil in between the heads and the block for quite some time. Not enough to drip or soak up a rug, but if you run your fingers there will be oil. Could they try to blame this on my mods(chip, pulley etc..)? If so how do you overcome that?

 

2001 L w/ 6300 miles. Passenger side leak w/ small oil puddle every morning for this last week. I am going in Tuesday for the Head Gasket replacement. Have heard but not confirmed that Ford has worked "overtime" on a fix and is supposedly got a new head gasket design available in Sept. that remedies the problem.

We shall see !? Pulling the Mods off was not fun, but necessary at my dealership. Kind of "out of sight out of mind"

 

5.4 head gasket leaks made national news... If you still have a 5.4 block they should warranty it no matter what .... Doesnt mean they will

Doug

 

I think a pulley would be enough for them to say that it contributed to the leaking...I would remove anything you can before going in...

 

Pardon my ignorance in this issue. But what exactly does this leak look like? I went out and popped the hood and what I saw was a very thin film of oil kind of coated in front of the block below the heads. How can you tell if you really have a leaking problem?

 

The Leak we are refering to is located on the Passenger and sometimes Both Cylinder Heads at the rear of the Head just above the Exhaust Manifold Flange. My was noticed by an Oil Burning odor during prolonged Idles and a quarter size oil puddle dripping off the exhaust flange and now off the bellhousing of tranny as oil finds it way down the side of the block to the lowest point. Ford is very aware of the problem its been going on now for over 4 years on 5.4L engine family.

Sounds like you may have a Valve cover leak or timing cover if its in the front. Just my 2 cents worth.