HI all,
I have '98 5.4 V8 with only 20k miles on it. Currently having engine pulled to replace the main rear oil seal - yes, that's right. Plus the timing cover leaks at the "Y" of head/block area. Mechanic tells me possibly at factory rear seal just not pressed on correctly, and that silicon sealant not evenly applied to timing cover gasket (on some (mine) engines).

Anyone heard of this before?

 

No. Sounds like the exception, not the rule.

------------------
'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6, 5spd, Superchipped, K&N Air Filter, Lund Deflector, Dash Mat, MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Edelbrock Shocks, Duraliner, Extang Saber Tonneau, Bell-Tech 2" Rear Drop, Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII. Likes straightaways, loves twisties.

 

I had an oil leak on mine!! Oil was coming from under the valve cover, between seam. The valve cover on mine only needed to be tightened down!!! 10 minutes and done. No leak since. To bad yours is a major leak. Hopefully you'll be up and running soon.

------------------
97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars

 

I've had oil leaks in my 5.4. Timing cover on the right front. Dealership corrected that, still has oil leak. Can't seem to locate it either. Timing cover leak at 40K, truck now has 56K and still leaking. About quart every 1200 -1500 miles.

------------------
"97" F-150 Lariet S/C w/SB, Bright Red w/Silver trim, 5.4 w/4EOD, Tow package, LT245 Goodyears, CP pivoting Fifth Wheel hitch, Western Louvered fifth wheel tailgate, Tekonsha brake control, and Contico tool box.
Strongly considering Helwig Swaybar and K&N filter.
Possibly some sort of dual exhaust system!

 

Thanks for all your responses. Timing cover leak appears to be an ongoing concern. I think its the iron block and aluminum head - thermal contraction/expansion, but always on the right side (driver). Go figure. Since my combined oil leaks, rear main, oil pan, and timing cover, were more easily fixed with the engine removed, they had to remove the intake manifold to get the engine out. This allowed them to drop a bolt into one of the cyclinders. And yes, it made a lot of noise when the engine started.

I'll finish this story under a new topic, in engines, or somewhere up top, with a title of "Need Legal Strategy - Bolt inside engine"

 

Frank: is Ford letting you pick out a new truck??? What kind of damage did the bolt end up doing???