I know that I have read on here in the past about the Oil leaks on the 6.0 Liter Powerstroke. I have a two 2003 6.0L trucks, and both have a small oil leak around the rear main seal. I decided to let them only work on one until it is fixed and then start the other one. It has been in twice now. The first time, i'm not really sure what they did, but he second time they replaced the rear main seal. That has been about a month ago, but it appears it is starting to leak again. That truck has 8800 miles on it the other one has 5500 on it. They both started leaking with few miles on them. These are great trucks, just hate having that leak.
To the 03 Rear Main oil leak club!!! Mine has been in twice for the seal replacement, and "weeps" just ever so slightly now.. I just had it in to Ford today, and had them document my complaint..Not a huge leak, almost nothing, but my freinds trucks are dry!!! 04's with late 03 engine builds, I think.. Mine had the RM seal replaced first time with the rear engine plate removed/re-sealed/siliconed.. Second time was a seal replacement only, and has been the best fix so far.. I'm going to drive it for around six more months and hopefully they'll have a fix for the Turbo Moan/Drone by then.. If not,, then I'm most likely going to go for a DSB replacement.. Hate to,, cause it runs so great, but I want the same satisfaction the the trouble free owners are enjoying.. If it is replaced,, it will be another "alike" truck and engine.. Give'm the chance they need, and/or try another dealer/tech if you don't get complete satisfaction.
We have 2 6.0's behind my building.. The '03 had it's leaking RM replaced & the '04 is dry.. Hopefully they have this problem figured out & can refit the '03's..
04/04 and I had the rear main replaced at 1800 miles. So as for FMC having the problem fix in the 04 the answer is no. I now have 4200 miles on the truck and the rear main is dry as a bone.
I have an early 04/04 and it has the slight "wet" oil spot on it as well. I will be changing the oil this weekend at 10,000 miles from rotella to the mobile delvac1 and watch it a bit longer before taking it in ...
Do a search on rear main leak, or oil leak, and you will learn more than you want to know.
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tim.lamkin@internetbrands dot com
Life is not only time……paradoxically, it is the denial of time!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
An interesting twist to this topic....I installed an Auto Meter oil pressure gage since the factory gage is the same as an idiot light because it reads normal above 7 PSI and low under 7 PSI (PSD Bible).
With a new change of Motorcraft 15W40, 40 deg. cold idle is 80 PSI. 2000 RPM with no warmup is off the scale, at least 120 - 130 PSI. Warm idle is 70 PSI. 2000 RPM the pressure maxed out hot at 90 PSI. I was beginning to get some seepage past the rear main.
I changed the oil to 5-40 Mobil Delvac 1. Cold Idle is 70 PSI. 2000 RPM cold is 90PSI. Hot idle is 30 PSI and 2000 RPM hot cruise is 75 PSI.
Best thing is that rear main seepage stopped. These engines are supposed to have a 75 PSI pressure relief valve (PSD Bible). Anything over 90 PSI is generally considered excessive. I have heard experienced mechanics say that excessive oil pressure will cause the rear main to leak. This may be why so many on this forum say their dealer is recommending 5W30.
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03 6.0 SC Short bed 2WD Auto
Preditor, Gages, K & N FIPK
An interesting twist to this topic....I installed an Auto Meter oil pressure gage since the factory gage is the same as an idiot light because it reads normal above 7 PSI and low under 7 PSI (PSD Bible).
With a new change of Motorcraft 15W40, 40 deg. cold idle is 80 PSI. 2000 RPM with no warmup is off the scale, at least 120 - 130 PSI. Warm idle is 70 PSI. 2000 RPM the pressure maxed out hot at 90 PSI. I was beginning to get some seepage past the rear main.
I changed the oil to 5-40 Mobil Delvac 1. Cold Idle is 70 PSI. 2000 RPM cold is 90PSI. Hot idle is 30 PSI and 2000 RPM hot cruise is 75 PSI.
Best thing is that rear main seepage stopped. These engines are supposed to have a 75 PSI pressure relief valve (PSD Bible). Anything over 90 PSI is generally considered excessive. I have heard experienced mechanics say that excessive oil pressure will cause the rear main to leak. This may be why so many on this forum say their dealer is recommending 5W30.
Might be something to it CB...
Mine didn't seep for over 1000 miles after the last seal replacement, (Must of had a tight seal) and, I checked it every couple of days, not only from the bottom, but looking through the torque convertor nut access "rubber plug" with an inspection mirror..NOTHING.. I had also used some parts wash/brake clean, and cleaned everthing up "very well", including a shot into the lower bell housing, then blew it "totally" dry after the last seal replacement, to make sure there wasn't any OLD oil left.. It was DRY for a long time after that, but, I was shocked when I took a peek under it the other day and a "Very" tiny moist spot.. It seems to come down from around the starter area only, on the right side of the block.. It is totally dry up on top, and on the left side of the engine.. Mine has had "not only" two seals, but the rear engine cover re-sealed.... And it is dry "infront" on the rear engine cover/plate, so I really don't think it's the bed plate leaking.. And if it were it would be a constant leak, most likely.. It does, or at least, seems to leak with being driven harder.. Ford just gave me the free first oil change, and it is documented as still seeping.. OK for now, but some research into excessive PSI may be in order!!!
An interesting twist to this topic....I installed an Auto Meter oil pressure gage since the factory gage is the same as an idiot light because it reads normal above 7 PSI and low under 7 PSI (PSD Bible).
With a new change of Motorcraft 15W40, 40 deg. cold idle is 80 PSI. 2000 RPM with no warmup is off the scale, at least 120 - 130 PSI. Warm idle is 70 PSI. 2000 RPM the pressure maxed out hot at 90 PSI. I was beginning to get some seepage past the rear main.
I changed the oil to 5-40 Mobil Delvac 1. Cold Idle is 70 PSI. 2000 RPM cold is 90PSI. Hot idle is 30 PSI and 2000 RPM hot cruise is 75 PSI.
Best thing is that rear main seepage stopped. These engines are supposed to have a 75 PSI pressure relief valve (PSD Bible). Anything over 90 PSI is generally considered excessive. I have heard experienced mechanics say that excessive oil pressure will cause the rear main to leak. This may be why so many on this forum say their dealer is recommending 5W30.
I do believe you are on to something there mate…………something GOOD
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Administrator
tim.lamkin@internetbrands dot com
Life is not only time……paradoxically, it is the denial of time!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Just my $.02 - I have early '04 PSD (build date 09/03 on vehicle, 08/03 engine). Have been monitoring what appears to an RMS leak too, beginning around 1K miles I think. Not much of a leak, but its there and I've been documenting it with photos just in case! Just brought it in for first oil change at 2650 miles.....but leakage seemed to slow down in the 4-5 days before I brought it in....now appears to be what others here are referring to as "weeping". Dealer says his mechanic saw no proof of a leak, but I had pics and I assume tech just didn't look carefully. So its not just the '03 models! Can anybody tell me how long I should tolerate a small leak before insisting on a fix? What if it just continues to weep? Will it only get worse over time?
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04/03 F-250 PSD Dk Toreador Red
FX4, Mud Flaps, Rhino Lining & more on the way!
Choctaw Bob ... Although I was originally thinking about going to the Delvac1 at my second oil change (from Rotella T), your insight on the oil pressures were right on time with my thinking as well. Thanks for the pressure comparisons. Now to see if going to the Delvac1 will not only stop the "Wet Spot" but will help bring back a bit of the mpg that I seem to have lost from the first change.
Choctaw Bob ... Although I was originally thinking about going to the Delvac1 at my second oil change (from Rotella T), your insight on the oil pressures were right on time with my thinking as well. Thanks for the pressure comparisons. Now to see if going to the Delvac1 will not only stop the "Wet Spot" but will help bring back a bit of the mpg that I seem to have lost from the first change.
I think i picked up 1.5 MPG with the oil change and using silver bottle Power Service.
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03 6.0 SC Short bed 2WD Auto
Preditor, Gages, K & N FIPK
This brings up a good question, could it be possible that some of these oil leaks are possible form folks that might not have the vehicle up to full temperature yet before they drive. It could be aggravated by ones that live in colder climates.
I cannot find that recent post that talked of the psi for oil.
__________________
Administrator
tim.lamkin@internetbrands dot com
Life is not only time……paradoxically, it is the denial of time!
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
This brings up a good question, could it be possible that some of these oil leaks are possible form folks that might not have the vehicle up to full temperature yet before they drive. It could be aggravated by ones that live in colder climates.
I cannot find that recent post that talked of the psi for oil.
Ford solved the problem of oil presure by removing the oil pressure gage.
Since I changed to Delvac 1 and watch the temp/oil pressure. I have not had a leak problem.
Before I had a gage, I just started the engine and drove it cold. To my knowledge the owners manual doesn't instruct differently. This got started over emissions. The EPA decided the extra warm up time contributed significantly to emissions.
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03 6.0 SC Short bed 2WD Auto
Preditor, Gages, K & N FIPK
