Oil Leak??
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 185
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Oil Leak??
Ok. Its me again. I hope my Bronco is letting all her frustration out on me now.
Anyway, after i solved the leaking Antifreeze problem, i noticed other fluids leaking from under the car. I knew it couldnt be Antifreeze, so i crawled under neath her and looked at the fluid. Sure as Shi* it was oil.
I looked up and saw that the oil pan was covered in new and old oil. I loked at the rear main and hoped to god it wasnt a seal. Well, i think it is.
I cant be for sure now, mailny beacuse i just cleaned all the oil residue off the pan and rear main and am waiting to see if the oil returns.
One thing that freaks me out is, my oil pressure gauge in the dash says im getting low on pressure. But when i check the dipstick, it says im totally full.
Any one know what this problem could be from.
A friend of mine said that he's not totally sure that it's motor oil. I dont htink it's tranny fluid.
Any suggestions?
Anyway, after i solved the leaking Antifreeze problem, i noticed other fluids leaking from under the car. I knew it couldnt be Antifreeze, so i crawled under neath her and looked at the fluid. Sure as Shi* it was oil.
I looked up and saw that the oil pan was covered in new and old oil. I loked at the rear main and hoped to god it wasnt a seal. Well, i think it is.
I cant be for sure now, mailny beacuse i just cleaned all the oil residue off the pan and rear main and am waiting to see if the oil returns.
One thing that freaks me out is, my oil pressure gauge in the dash says im getting low on pressure. But when i check the dipstick, it says im totally full.
Any one know what this problem could be from.
A friend of mine said that he's not totally sure that it's motor oil. I dont htink it's tranny fluid.
Any suggestions?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Oil Leak??
Your gauge is a fake - it only has a switch that turns on or off. If the needle is drifting, it's inside the gauge - not in the engine. If you want to convert it to a real gauge, search this & the pickup forum; there have been plenty of discussions on how.
Clean the engine thoroughly with Gunk Engine Brite and then look for the source of the leak.
Clean the engine thoroughly with Gunk Engine Brite and then look for the source of the leak.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Charter Oak, Iowa
Oil Leak??
After cleaning, try puffing some talc all over everything down there and then drive it. This quickly shows where the leak is. If you use the women's perfumed stuff then take a shower quick before your buddies come around or they'll think your a little limp-wristed. 
Randy
Randy
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Oil Leak??
I'm still battling this problem. BUT I do have some suggestions.
1st and foremost...buy a mechanical oil pressure gauge from autozone or similar and install it. They are less than $25 and a snap to install in the 89. That will show you what your pressure REALLY is. I had a bad oil leak that I couldn't trace until I replaced the old oil pressure sending unit. It was cracked and leaking like cheap roof!
2nd is depending on what the new gauge shows, check for valve cover leaks, oil pan leaks, etc.
3rd, and what I'm doing now, lift the motor...pop the pan off and replace the oil pump and pickup tube/screen assy. I know it's a pain..but you'll be suprised at what's in there! I cleaned a ton of old gasket and crud out of the screen! No wonder there was no pressure...it couldn't get through. The pump was like $40 and a new gasket was cheap. My old oil pump looked ok...but since I had the new one I put it in. It also came with 2 gaskets that were not on there when I took it off...so they are now! And the easiest way to put the intermediate shaft back is from the top by removing the distributor.
After this...I'm just paying for a rebuild because I will mean either main bearings, or worse... And here in the crappy part of Washington state there is dust 24 seven. That's all I need...a total rebuild torn apart by sand and grit. ( No garage..
)
Good luck
1st and foremost...buy a mechanical oil pressure gauge from autozone or similar and install it. They are less than $25 and a snap to install in the 89. That will show you what your pressure REALLY is. I had a bad oil leak that I couldn't trace until I replaced the old oil pressure sending unit. It was cracked and leaking like cheap roof!
2nd is depending on what the new gauge shows, check for valve cover leaks, oil pan leaks, etc.
3rd, and what I'm doing now, lift the motor...pop the pan off and replace the oil pump and pickup tube/screen assy. I know it's a pain..but you'll be suprised at what's in there! I cleaned a ton of old gasket and crud out of the screen! No wonder there was no pressure...it couldn't get through. The pump was like $40 and a new gasket was cheap. My old oil pump looked ok...but since I had the new one I put it in. It also came with 2 gaskets that were not on there when I took it off...so they are now! And the easiest way to put the intermediate shaft back is from the top by removing the distributor.
After this...I'm just paying for a rebuild because I will mean either main bearings, or worse... And here in the crappy part of Washington state there is dust 24 seven. That's all I need...a total rebuild torn apart by sand and grit. ( No garage..
)Good luck
