Oil leak f150 4.6
 

I have a 2002 F150 with a 4.6 triton engine. I have a oil leak coming from somewhere in the back of the engine on the passenger side. I it is cover ling the starter and leaking onto the catalac converter and wrapping around and dripping where flywheel is. The leak is coming from somewhere up in back of motor. I changed the valve pan cover on that side of the motor that has not helped. Any suggestion on what it could be.

If it's not the valve cover gasket, it's probably the head gasket. This is somewhat common on the 4.6.

Is there any oil that goes through the intake anywhere?

Not that I'm aware of.

So whats the worse thing that can happen if i drive it like it is? It is not losing a mass amount of oil. If i just check the oil in it and keep oil in it. Reason being is a head gasket change is not a simple or cheap fix talking a couple grand.

Just keep it cleaned up the best you can.

In fact, clean it up thoroughly now, and maybe you can see exactly where it's coming from. You can get UV leak detection dye for the oil, with that and a blacklight you should be able to pinpoint it.

About 7 years ago at 100K, my old 2002. 4.6, 4x4 was dropping a quarter sized drip overnight in the driveway. I took it to my trusted mechanic about a 4x4 low range issue and happened to mention the oil leak.
He told me the 4.6 blocks have been known to leak at the rear of the head/block joint on one side only. He said the only sure cure was to apply new head gaskets and check the block and head, possibly correcting them to tolerance. I opted to let it leak. He said he would re-torque the head on the leaking side and I got lucky, no more leak. I cleaned up the driveway under the truck and it has stayed clean for 7 years.

Okay thank you for all your input. Could it possible be a oil sending unit on the back side of the motor? Mechanic told me that is what the problem is. Mine only seems to leak really bad when j am driving not when i leave my truck sit.

The sending unit is by the oil filter. That's down low and up front on the driver's side. Like I said, clean everything up and consider using the dye and blacklight.