@#$%$#$%, I just changed the oil and found a possible leak between the pan and trannie. I wish it would have been leaking or I should have change the rear main, when I had the trannie off. But here my ?, has anyone out there change the pan gasket with the trannie on? I may go that way, then pull the tranns and it be the pan. Its a cheap try. If not rear oil seal here I come.
Dave

 

eliminate all the easy stuff first to save back breaking hard work

certain it's engine oil and not ATF?, do white paper towel blotter test, red-pink=ATF...ATF will pick up some dirt and can be mistaken for engine oil underneath in tight quarters. use bright light

tighten all pan bolts to specs, hot leaking engine oil will migrate to other places from a pan leak along pan lip

wipe front seal with paper towel, anything coming out?

 

Oh Yes, If you are 4.0 2wd, easy job. there are a couple of wierd long pan bolts in the rear, I had to cut one of them, but its easy, way easier than spark plugs. you will have to turn the crank until #1 counterweight is pointing north and jiggle the pan some, but it removes and installs easily. there is something called a wedge seal, had no idea where it goes so I left it out. I used lots of silicone, enough to louse up temporarily my o2 sensor, and I have absolutely no leaks at all. I used fel pro gasket.

don't be afraid of this one at all. While you are in there replace the rod bearings, super easy.

ken

 

96_4wdr
Thanks Yes, its engine oil. That I know.
Ken
Thanks I thought it would be easy. After working on aircraft and armour vehs. My Aero is no real problem. It was the book say to remove the trans. Now for my next post.

 

When you are done, tell us what the engine bearings looked like, my rod bearings were shot, easy job to change, maybe 30 minutes after pan is down.

ken

 

I only have 120Ks on the engine. I don't believe I will have to. There is no knock and grind.

 

rod bearings are 28.00. you are looking at them. please change them. at least take 1 apart and inspect. it is completely ok to reinstall old bearings, just be very clean.. Promise me you will at least inspect 1 of them. Mine were all worn identically, tops through three layers, bottoms perfect. My mains were absolutely unworn, even un broken in.

My bet, 25 cents american, is that you will be apalled by the rod bearing condition. At least check 1 of them.

Your southern friend,

Ken

 

Ken
How many Ks on yours?

 

180000 on mine but they were clearly shot much earlier. Pulling one cap will tell you all. Mine were worn perfectly evenly 1 through 6. It is an interesting crank, 1 journal for each rod, counterweight cheek between them. Looks like a stronger system than GM uses with the journal being offset, I believe 8 degrees.

Sir, I am positive if you look at 1 rod cap, you will become ill and run to the parts house. My noise was not coming from the rods but they were disgusting. PLEASE check at least 1. Don't bother with the mains.

I had such a wonderful time last year in BC and Yukon meeting the truly wonderful Canadian people (probably the nicest on the planet) that I must do you this favor by insisting that you check those damned rod bearings. Beside that, think of the pleasure of telling me that you looked and they were perfect!!!

Southern Friend,

ken

 

I had the same type of leak it looked like is was coming from the bellhousing cover however it was coming from the pan gasket and leaking down the bellhousing.

Odds are your gasket has kicked the bucket especally since Ford used the all rubber gaskets on the Aeros from the factory. They tend to squeeze out if the bolts are overtorqued plus when they get older the metal spacers can get loose and present leaks as well.

If your sure its oil check the pan gasket if it is the gasket Fordparts.com offers it for about $30.00 I believe make sure you get the gasket with the plastic frame and not the all rubber one. Not only is the plastic frame one more durable its also easier to install since its moulded to the contours of the pan and won't squeeze out like the all rubber variety. Its a little more expensive but you'll thanks yourself later.

 

Dear CS,

By the way, my engine did have a leak before I did my bearings. absolutely as leak free as a Honda after the work. The new molded fel pro gasket was very nice. I still don't know what the wedge seal is or where one could put it. i think it is just to confuse.

So then, did my oil leak stop because of the new gasket or the awesome new rod bearings??? We never will really know will we??????????????????