Where is the oil leaking from?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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Where is the oil leaking from?
I'm new here and don't know if i'm in the right place so please point me in the right direction if you can.
I have a small oil leak from my 2001 F150 V8 4.6L 200k mi. The leak is on the left front lower engine area, visable wet area from the front. The area around the oil pressure sender unit seemed a likely culprit so I replaced the sender and washed the area. Still leaks. It appears the leak is slightly above the pressure sender (the wire loop connection to the sender drips oil) the base of the oil filter seems dry. It appears that the oil filter and the sender both attach to an aluminum casting that is bolted to the engine block? The oil drips onto the frame cross member and then onto the ground, maybe one drop every 30 min. This wet area is behind the power steering pump. Hydraulic hoses appear dry. oil pan bolts,(at least the ones near the drip) are wet and the wet area is above the level of the oil pan. all bolts visable near the oil filter, oil pressure sending unit are tight. The fluid is engine oil, not another fluid. Maybe this is a common leak in the 4.6? This has been an unbelievably reliable, tight vehicle and the best automobile I have ever owned. It runs great at over 200 k and I want to run it a bit more. Anyone have any suggestions? Happy New year.
d
I have a small oil leak from my 2001 F150 V8 4.6L 200k mi. The leak is on the left front lower engine area, visable wet area from the front. The area around the oil pressure sender unit seemed a likely culprit so I replaced the sender and washed the area. Still leaks. It appears the leak is slightly above the pressure sender (the wire loop connection to the sender drips oil) the base of the oil filter seems dry. It appears that the oil filter and the sender both attach to an aluminum casting that is bolted to the engine block? The oil drips onto the frame cross member and then onto the ground, maybe one drop every 30 min. This wet area is behind the power steering pump. Hydraulic hoses appear dry. oil pan bolts,(at least the ones near the drip) are wet and the wet area is above the level of the oil pan. all bolts visable near the oil filter, oil pressure sending unit are tight. The fluid is engine oil, not another fluid. Maybe this is a common leak in the 4.6? This has been an unbelievably reliable, tight vehicle and the best automobile I have ever owned. It runs great at over 200 k and I want to run it a bit more. Anyone have any suggestions? Happy New year.
d
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 250
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From: Miami, FL
This was the first thing I fixed when I originally got my truck 2 years ago. The leak is from between the block and the oil filter mount. Its a fairly common problem on these motors as far as I can tell. All you have to do is replace the gasket that goes in that position and that should solve your problem.
- Erik
- Erik
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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Erik,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
If I understand you correctly, the leaky gasket is between the aluminum casting (which the sending unit and oil filter screw into) and the engine block?
Is this a dealer gasket only or commonly available at the local autoparts?
And while I've got your expertise.....How many bolts hold the casting on? I can't see them all laying underneath.
Thanks
Don
Thanks for your prompt reply.
If I understand you correctly, the leaky gasket is between the aluminum casting (which the sending unit and oil filter screw into) and the engine block?
Is this a dealer gasket only or commonly available at the local autoparts?
And while I've got your expertise.....How many bolts hold the casting on? I can't see them all laying underneath.
Thanks
Don
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 250
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From: Miami, FL
Don,
Yep, you're understanding me correctly. The gasket is in fact between the casting for the oil filter/sender and engine. Also, yes, you can get the gasket at any local auto parts store. As for how many bolts, I don't remember exactly, but its probably 3 bolts, maybe 4.
To change the gasket you should first drain the coolant from the system, as the casting the oil filter is on is also the connection for the lower radiator hose. Then get the radiator hose out of the way, and remove the oil filter and you should have much more room to work. After that just remove the bolts, replace the gasket and reverse the steps to reinstall.
- Erik
Yep, you're understanding me correctly. The gasket is in fact between the casting for the oil filter/sender and engine. Also, yes, you can get the gasket at any local auto parts store. As for how many bolts, I don't remember exactly, but its probably 3 bolts, maybe 4.
To change the gasket you should first drain the coolant from the system, as the casting the oil filter is on is also the connection for the lower radiator hose. Then get the radiator hose out of the way, and remove the oil filter and you should have much more room to work. After that just remove the bolts, replace the gasket and reverse the steps to reinstall.
- Erik
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 6
From: Utah
Don,
Yep, you're understanding me correctly. The gasket is in fact between the casting for the oil filter/sender and engine. Also, yes, you can get the gasket at any local auto parts store. As for how many bolts, I don't remember exactly, but its probably 3 bolts, maybe 4.
To change the gasket you should first drain the coolant from the system, as the casting the oil filter is on is also the connection for the lower radiator hose. Then get the radiator hose out of the way, and remove the oil filter and you should have much more room to work. After that just remove the bolts, replace the gasket and reverse the steps to reinstall.
- Erik
Yep, you're understanding me correctly. The gasket is in fact between the casting for the oil filter/sender and engine. Also, yes, you can get the gasket at any local auto parts store. As for how many bolts, I don't remember exactly, but its probably 3 bolts, maybe 4.
To change the gasket you should first drain the coolant from the system, as the casting the oil filter is on is also the connection for the lower radiator hose. Then get the radiator hose out of the way, and remove the oil filter and you should have much more room to work. After that just remove the bolts, replace the gasket and reverse the steps to reinstall.
- Erik
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Yeah, be careful with those lol... I had one slip out from the pliers I was using to compress it (didn't compress it all the way to lock it) and it shot out and left a nice big welt on my foot... (I was barefoot like a genius 
)
Just make sure you compress it all the way to lock it open before you remove it from the hose. I would replace it with a normal hose clamp just so you don't ever have to deal with it again lol.
- Erik
) Just make sure you compress it all the way to lock it open before you remove it from the hose. I would replace it with a normal hose clamp just so you don't ever have to deal with it again lol.
- Erik