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Oil Leak + Low Boost

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Old May 17, 2021 | 12:09 PM
  #1  
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Oil Leak + Low Boost

I have a new oil leak and also noticed my boost via the gauge is very low or non existent.
No oil in valley per say. Most seems down by the oil filter on the drivers side.
Head plugs seem ok and nothing at the HPOP or fittings.
Cleaned engine ran for a couple of minutes and inspected several times but can't ID the source.

Turbo pedestal orings would seem like a high potential but what else would cause me to loose boost and oil.

Don't want to take it apart till I get a better ID of the source.
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 01:57 PM
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Down by the oil filt, check oil cooler o-rings
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 02:50 PM
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I think you may be right with the oil cooler and o-rings. This is exactly where I see the most amount of oil -- AND did not even know this cooler existed. Thought there was just the oil filter housing...

Are there any updates to this other than remove-clean-replace seals? Get seals from Ford or dieselorings? Will look at the tech manual for procedure.
Thank you for the insight.

 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 03:26 PM
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You can rebuild it like I did on the wife's Excursion several years ago...hers was actually leaking coolant and not oil...or buy a new unit. If you rebuild it be sure to lube the o-rings before you put it back together. Getting it back together can be a bit of a task...just watch to get it clocked correctly though it should have tabs to help with this. I had to take a ratchet strap around it to compress it back together as you really don't want to impact it with a hammer. I went ahead and purchased another kit for my F350, but not leaking as of yet.

For the boost leak, are you getting black smoke when you get into the throttle? Are you able to hear the leak?
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 08:55 PM
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No black smoke - just have been trying to track down this leak for the past week and noticed on a short trip my boost gauge was running very low- and thought the two were related. Will check the boost again but will get under the truck tomorrow now that I know that is an oil cooler - but this is dead on where all the oil is located. First thought it was the oil filter as it was loose by hand - so I removed and replaced it to make sure I had a good seal but it was still leaking. Most of the oil is in that area exact and its not the oil pan so very high 95% chance its the cooler O-rings. My local Ford dealer even stocks the parts... so you know it a common problem.
 
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Old May 17, 2021 | 10:06 PM
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I was gonna suggest getting the oil cooler stuff from Ford or International, that's what I was told by someone I trust very much when mine was leaking
 
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Old May 18, 2021 | 12:43 PM
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So just rebuild with new seals or replace the whole unit- it is a New England Truck. ?
I guess I will remove and evaluate... maybe I can clean and coat the outside with Por15 heat proof to stop rust.
Dorman and SPX make a whole kit for like $130 or I can get OE seals for $95.
B
 
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Old May 18, 2021 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by blakeusa
So just rebuild with new seals or replace the whole unit- it is a New England Truck. ?
I guess I will remove and evaluate... maybe I can clean and coat the outside with Por15 heat proof to stop rust.
Dorman and SPX make a whole kit for like $130 or I can get OE seals for $95.
B
You should be able to just put new o-rings & gaskets, the Dorman & other off brands are what I was told to stay away from
There was a good you-tube by Diesel Tech Ron ( I believe it was his name ) that was real good about doing the cooler without removing the front header that I followed that made the job real simple.
 
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Old May 19, 2021 | 09:50 AM
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Moved thread, and bumped for the benefit of @blakeusa for input from additional forum members who are dedicated aficionados on the 99-03 7.3L engine.
 
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Old May 19, 2021 | 10:06 AM
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With no black smoke, might be good to double check that your boost is really low, and not just a gauge/sender issue. You can read Manifold Gauge Pressure (MGP) on FORScan Lite on your phone with an OBDII wireless dongle - plus that app is great for reading codes, viewing all kinds of parameters, and running tests on these trucks.

Link below with info, if needed:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-q-and-a.html


 
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Old May 19, 2021 | 10:07 AM
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To check for boost leaks build yourself a leak detector cheap. spray soapy water on everything and see where the bubbles are. Just don't stand in front of the detector when pressurizing, ask me how I know. A little brake clean wiped on the hose before clamping down will help keep it from popping out

 
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Old May 19, 2021 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by blakeusa
I think you may be right with the oil cooler and o-rings. This is exactly where I see the most amount of oil -- AND did not even know this cooler existed. Thought there was just the oil filter housing...

Are there any updates to this other than remove-clean-replace seals? Get seals from Ford or dieselorings? Will look at the tech manual for procedure.
Thank you for the insight.
Oil cooler is pretty straight forward. get OEM orings and header seals as suggested. you don't want to do this twice. Ford, riff raff diesel, or diesel orings has the complete kit
 
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