Anyone with a 7.3 that runs great and out of no where gets an oil leak that seems to be coming from above the oil pan?

 

Check the top of the motor in the valley between the heads and also check the area around the turbo pedistal. If it still runs well I wouldn't think head gaskets, but valve cover gaskets and the CCV port would also be areas to check.

 

Turbo pedastal, HPOP lines...

 

ac1108 have you done any mods? Check the oil rail plugs on the back of the motor, sometimes those 0-rings go. Also it would help to know a little more about your truck, mods done, year etc. you can goto the User CP link and fill out your signature with all that info and you won't have to type it out everytime? oh yeah check your oil filter just for giggles, when I bought my truck the po had the oil changed and they didn't tighten it up enough.

John

 

I had the same problem with mine. Oil was coming down the back of the engine from the top. My valley was full of oil. It was the O rings on the High Pressure Oil Pump. It was repaired at the dealer under warrany.

 

Had the same sort of problem with mine and took it to the dealer for that and another problem. The dealer said that it was the oil filter that was leaking. I explained to him that the oil on the engine was on the other side and that I am a hydraulic mech on aircraft so I know how fluid will travel. Anyway, I went out of town for a few weeks and when I came back and ran the truck again no more oil leak. It's good to know about the other areas everyone posted about though for future reference.

 

The info on the truck is: 99 F-350 with just about 150k. I did put a Superchips programmer to it a few months ago but didn't leave the advanced settings on for more than a week. I have decided to only use it when I do heavier towing. It appears to be coming from the front part of the engine but I have yet to pin point it. I checked the oil filter already and it's good and snug.

 

When the HPOP starts leaking it has a habit of running down the front of the engine block where it is then blown back onto the oil pan. The HPOP leak can often be mis-diagnosed as either the front main seal or the oil pan gasket. The willingness of the mechanic to throughly trace the oil leak back to the source ususally tells you alot about their knowledge and experience.

 

I posted this same question later on yesterday without even seeing this forum, so y'all answers have helped me out too. Also, what does HPOP stand for??

 

High Pressure Oil Pump.

 

gotcha, thanks

 

Anyone know where I could get a picture of the engine so I could locate the Oil Pump?

 

I was just told by a buddy that the HPOP is located directly under the powerstroke "cover". Right behind your HPOP is the fuel filter. I just posted a thread because I am also having a heck of a time with the high pressure oil lines.

 

Here are my latest findings. I checked the area near the HPOP and there are no leaks. The only area I can find any evidence of oil is the drivers side. It shows signs of blowing towards the rear of the engine so I am thinking that it is near the front of the engine. I have located a small area that I am going to try and concentrate on. It's a silverish canister that points towards the front of the truck. With my lame descriptions you can probably tell that I am no diesel mechanic. I've been searching for a photo of the motor from different angles so I can see what the part is and find out if it even has oil near it.

 

Anyone have any suggestion as to where I should look next if this isn't the problem area?