random oil leak...

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Dec 19, 2004 | 04:10 PM

grafekie

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From: Simpsonville, KY

random oil leak...

so I was under my truck (again) and saw a large leak of what to be oil on the left (pas.) side just behind the oil pan... now the last two times I changed it (most recently two weeks ago) I only got three or four quarts out. I had a major loss of power a few months ago, but it came back when I replaced a fried COP this month (took that long to fail enough to be diagnosed). What is this leak? I have heard people mention something like this for a blown head gasket, but I don't think I am missing too much oomph, if any. I checked the oil last week and I still was at the filled level, and I haven't done it again this week yet. Any ideas?

1999 F150 SCab 4x4 5.4L

Dec 19, 2004 | 04:37 PM

triton_2002

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From: South Texas

Any sign of water in the coolant? Any smoke from the tailpipe at start up?

Dec 19, 2004 | 04:43 PM

grafekie

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From: Simpsonville, KY

its hard to tell b/c its cold here, but I don't think there is any white smoke (no black smoke)... how do I tell if there is water in the coolant? (that reminds me... the COP leak caused me to leak some, so I should fill that back up...)

Dec 19, 2004 | 05:00 PM

triton_2002

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From: South Texas

Quote:

how do I tell if there is water in the coolant?

Sorry!! I meant OIL in the coolant!! A blown head gasket would cause oil to leak into the coolant and/or coolant to leak into the oil.

Dec 19, 2004 | 05:11 PM

grafekie

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From: Simpsonville, KY

hehe and how do you tell that? by looking for brown tint/streaks?

Dec 19, 2004 | 05:30 PM

triton_2002

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From: South Texas

The oil would look foamy and the coolant would feel greasy. I've never use one, but maybe one of those UV dye leak detectors would help.
http://www.autobarn.net/profuvleakde.html

Dec 19, 2004 | 06:34 PM

Racerguy

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From: BC, Canada

The head gaskets on these do cause oil leaks sometimes. Usually you'll see oil right on or above the starter. It's usually the passenger's side head that leaks.

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Dec 19, 2004 | 07:25 PM

Racerguy

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Usually they don't "blow" , they just leak oil to the outside.

Dec 19, 2004 | 08:14 PM

#10

low

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerguy

Usually they don't "blow" , they just leak oil to the outside.

Racerguy is right on the money. 5.4's are NOTORIOUS for this. The passenger side head gasket leaking oil in the rear outside corner, just where you are describing. Man, I hope it's under warranty. That's expensive!

Dec 19, 2004 | 08:40 PM

#11

triton_2002

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From: South Texas

Quote:

5.4's are NOTORIOUS for this.

I wouldn't go that far. When someone has a bad head gasket they let everone know, you never hear about all the ones that don't have problems.

Dec 19, 2004 | 09:49 PM

#12

grafekie

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From: Simpsonville, KY

any reason why I should fix it?

It seems to run ok, as long as I keep the oil on level.

Dec 19, 2004 | 09:56 PM

#13

triton_2002

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From: South Texas

IF it IS a head gasket leak, the contaminated oil will eventually cause engine failure. Best to get it checked out, that way you know what your options are