I have a leak on a 2003 6.0 with 31000 miles on it. I was told by the dealer the leak is inside the belhousing and they would possibly have to pull the engine. I am looking for other people that might of had a oil leak problem and what they had to do to fix it (hopefully it was leaking from somewhere else). My experiance is that the only place it could be leaking from back there is the rear main. And if they do pull the engine is there any maintenace items I should have them do while it is out. I am nervous about them pulling the engine, they never seem to go back together the same. Thanks for future replies

 

Welcome to FTE..

So they Dye checked it already??

It could be a RM especially if an 03.. My 03 had two.. They created a ‘future’ leak doing a cover re seal that was later repaired.. Could be the rear engine cover too, or a combination of.. But doesn't require an engine removal for re seal for either.. If its the bed plate leaking, than the engine needs to come out.. A bed plate leak is 'usually' visible along the 'back portion' of the 'upper most' outer oil pan area/s (above at the bed plate to block) or leaking further forward or along the block and making its way back pinched between the plate and block.. Harder to see if on the starter side.. Then makes its way to the bottom of the bell housing, but you should see evidence of the leak traveling on down.. My 03 also had a cam position sensor leak (front left of block) that traveled back, masking as a RM leak.. Could also be an oil leak topside, that makes its way down.. But if you see no oil on the upper portions of the 'external' part of the block/bell housing, and no oil on the 'outer' portions of the rear engine cover/block/bell housing, then chances are its a RM or rear cover leak....

...............HP..............

 

I had a early built 2003 that had two rear main seals plus a bedplate gasget and it still had a drip on the bell housing.The engine does not have to be pulled for the rear main seal but does for the bedplate leak.The truck was replaced by ford with a 2005 f4x4 cc drw king ranch because of oil leaks and other problems.So far no problems with the new one with 2700 miles.

 

Check the glow plug buss bar. Mine was leaking out the connector holes and was the cause for my stagnant drop on the bellhousing

 

They did dye check it but were not sure of the leaks origin. the dealer i took it to said they did not have much experience with diesels. is there a way to find out what dealers have the most diesel experience. I am located north of Detroit in MI if anyone knows of a good dealer.

 

Is the dye still in? My advice is go to O-Riley's Auto and pick up a blacklight and goggles and look for yourself. I had a very reputable dealer tell me I was leaking oil out of my headgaskets of all places! My point is there are incompetent techs out there.

Needless to say that tech was totally wrong. First there is no pressurized oil in the HG and the only way oil could seep out of there is if there was a machining imperfection or a defective HG. After I looked for myself it turned out to be the glowplug buss bar. A second dealer confirmed my findings and replaced the harness. Engine is now dry as a bone.

 

I'm on the West Coast, so can't help you with a local dealer.. Maybe some one else here can.. But, I'd do some call'n around, and wouldn't leave it with a dealer/tech that admitted to having very little experience with the 6.0.. Oil leaks can be tough 'at times' to find, but if everything is clean and dry outside, and the leak is issolated to the 'inside' of the bellhousing should be fairly easy to detect.. My 03 had the recover leak, and the local tech argued with me that it had to be the RM again.. But it was leaking above the starter, collecting around its flange and running down into the bell housing (but only on one side, eliminating a 'sling' affect from the seal/flex plate) .. After the tear down, he conceeded it was the cover from previous work.. But it was 'easy enough' to see that it wasn't a bed plate leak (engine removal) or a top side issue either.. You might try calling (or have the dealer call) your Ford Area Rep, or call Ford customer service for a dealer that can do the job.. Getting some else involved from Ford may work out to your advantage if there are later issues/concerns..

..............HP...........