head gasket leaking????

4orddaddy · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 08:28 PM

I have noticed what looks like oil seeping from the drivers side of the motor on the block of my 2003 5.4. The head seems dry and I would think it would show oil if the valve cover gasket was leaking. My question is can oil seep out of the head gasket without any other sympton? It runs great, doesn't smoke, and doesn't use coolant. Why would it oily here?

ford390gashog · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 08:32 PM

My 03 and 04 leaked from the same spot. It leaked between the head and the block towards the rear. It was no big deal, the oil passage just sits too close to the edge and seeps a little. I ran it like that until 90k no issues.

4orddaddy · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 08:43 PM

I've got 62,000 on it now and just noticed it.Should I be looking for some sort of stop leak?

ford390gashog · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 08:46 PM

NO. Stop leak is not a wise idea. The metal headgaskets tend to seep a little. I have torn enough of these apart.The leak won't get any worse or do harm. Mine never dripped it just kinda spread down the block about 2''.I had the leak starting at 500 miles.

4orddaddy · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the quick answers. I feel a little better now. I'll just keep an eye on it.