My son's 2002 Escape (3.0 V6) has developed an oil drip at 86k miles. In searching this forum, it seems like the most prevalent issue is an oil pan gasket problem, in which case replacing the gasket is not too bad of a job (although apparently the exhaust needs to be unbolted and lowered a bit, to allow removal of the oil pan.

But are there other common problems as well?

I've also seen mention of either the PCV valve, or a hose that runs to it (or an oil-separator fitting), is this above the rear-side of the oil pan? Is this area visible from above?

How about the oil-pressure sending unit? This seems to be a common source of oil drips in other cars - how about with Escapes?

The whole bottom of the pan is oily, and not just the back edge. This seems consistent with the leaking oil pan gasket theory. But I'm not totally sure how high up the oily area goes...

For what it's worth, the oil filter seems fairly clean. I tried a few of the oil pan bolts, and they seem very tight.

Any advice or tips would be appreciated!

 

Before condemning the pan gasket, I would remove the two shield panels and inspect thoroughly for the source of the leak. The V6 has a 'girdle' that also has a gasket a bit higher up from the pan gasket. The cam covers could also allow oil to trickle down the engine, and spread from there.
Take off the panels, and if you can't spot a 'trail' that is clean, where the oil is washing the dirt off, clean the whole thing with brake cleaner or your favorite cleanser, and drive a bit more until you can spot the source of the leak.
tom

 

My wifes 05 is doing the same thing but it looks like its coming from the crank seal. I've heard that's common too.