Hi everyone.

Oil leak. 4.9 L inline 6cyl. 1990 F150 XLT 4x4 auto.; 76,500 miles.

Leaks when hot and just sitting, then going down the road it will leak when going uphill and around a left curve and throw bug-bomb smoke trail...never leaks just going straight or around a right curve.

I have a few other problems, too, but figured I'd start with this one. What do you all think?

I must say that I am a new Ford owner...not a new truck, obviously, but I'm 38 years old and this is my first Ford. Should I be regretting this?

 

Bad valve cover gasket. If it was a rear main seal or head, it would leak a steady stream, wouldn't pour out when going up hill. Get some engine bright or gunk and hit the entire engine. Rinse it (cover your distributor), let dry and start the truck and look for leaks. You got a good truck. The 4.9's are bullet-proof, and most problems are normal things like gaskets ans seals. You will most likely have to deal with a bunch of small, odd problems, thanks to ford's cheap idiot "patents." You shouldn't regret the purchase, though. and 77K isn't even broken in on those!!

 

Thanks for the help...and the words of encouragement. I agonized over buying this thing.

It seems to run OK, even though it has no passing ability or holeshot power .

Seriously, though, this leak is rather unnerving. After hearing hundreds of Ford horror stories, I thought "uh-oh, here we go". I will chck this gasket tonight.

Thanks again!

 

Yes, the 4.9s aren't hotrod engines. The cylinder bore diameter is about equal to the piston stroke. Translation: All torque, no speed. You may be left on the starting line with other trucks, but you can pull a house down with yours! The equal bore and stroke also means less stress on the motor. Change your oil regularly and you'll get 200K out of it easy. This motor has nowhere near the issues that the 4.6 motor and others have.