my 01 escape 4x4 3.0 has an oil leak which seems to be coming from around the drivers side drive axle....it only leaks noticeably when you have driven the vehicle at highway speeds for a sustained period of time...other wise it is rarely noticeable(on my driveway for example)....any info/ ideas on what it is and how to fix would be appreciated....thanks for any input.....Brent M
When my '01 4x2 Escape did that it, turned out to be the a/c compressor. Not engine oil. In my case the a/c belt pulley was moist and there was a noticeable line of oil on the radiator and the driver's side plastic guard under the compressor pulley. Otherwise, there are a number of engine seals on the driver's side. The power steering hoses and reservoir is another potential culprit. Hard to diagnose w/o visually inspecting it.
It probably does not stain your driveway because whatever the leaking fluid is, it's blown behind the engine on the underside of the vehicle as you drive down the highway.
Either way, these sort of repairs are all big $$$'s. The a/c was $1,000. When the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets leaked a couple of years ago, it was over $400 as I recall. These are local Ford dealer prices, not an independent shop which might be a little less costly.
thanks for the input...i crawled around under there today,and acually,i think it's either tranny fluid,or power steering fluid,not engine oil....it just looked like the leak was coming from the drive axle,but now,i don't think it is...again,it looks like it is either tranny or power steering oil(reddish in color)....i'll have to jack it up and have a better look at where it is coming from.....but for some reason it definately leaks worse on sustained,longer,highway speed type trips!
oil leak!
