Oil leak
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Garland
Oil leak
Well it has been a very long time since I have been on this board, last time it was about the IEA and that has been taking care of but I have a new problem and it just started after I had the oil change from the same place I always have it changed. My truck is leaking oil..
A little about my truck.. 1999 Ford Ranger, standard, 114,000 miles can someone let me know where to look or is it bad news for me? It is running fine now but still leaking.. not big globs but my side of the driveway was once clean and spotless, my baby (my ranger) decided to mess it up by leaking..any help would be appreciated..
A little about my truck.. 1999 Ford Ranger, standard, 114,000 miles can someone let me know where to look or is it bad news for me? It is running fine now but still leaking.. not big globs but my side of the driveway was once clean and spotless, my baby (my ranger) decided to mess it up by leaking..any help would be appreciated..
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Maine
The thing that comes to mind is that maybe the gasket from the filter they took off stayed stuck to the engine, and that's where the leak is. But, it could be something else, too. Crawl under and see where it's coming from. Since it started with the oil change, I'd bet that it is something loose/not seated right as opposed to a gasket failure or something.
And, make sure to keep checking the oil and keep the level up!
And, make sure to keep checking the oil and keep the level up!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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The two above posts have hit the two most common problems that will cause this:
1. Oil pan plug not tight.
2. Old gasket not removed when installing new filter.
I'd add that crossthreading is a problem occasionally, and will cause leaks at either location. If they crossthreaded the drain plug, it won't seat properly and will leak. This may simply require a new self-threading oversized drain plug to fix the problem.
If they crossthreaded the filter, then it's a little more difficult. I have actually seen that. On one occasion the place installed the wrong filter altogether and the thread pitch was different.
Either way, the shop that changed it is responsible to fix it.
1. Oil pan plug not tight.
2. Old gasket not removed when installing new filter.
I'd add that crossthreading is a problem occasionally, and will cause leaks at either location. If they crossthreaded the drain plug, it won't seat properly and will leak. This may simply require a new self-threading oversized drain plug to fix the problem.
If they crossthreaded the filter, then it's a little more difficult. I have actually seen that. On one occasion the place installed the wrong filter altogether and the thread pitch was different.
Either way, the shop that changed it is responsible to fix it.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Garland
Ok, thank you all, I will get it checked very soon and I will keep the oil up on it..
www.roberttrevino.com
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Friendswood, Texas
robert,
I would also check to see if the filter is tight. I've had them leak after having someone else do the oil change. It's one reason I always ty to do my own. Many of these shops don't tighten them enough.
If the old gasket stayed stuck to the bock, you would have a giant mess on your hadns and would likely have lost all of your oil by now. Want to guess how I know this? If that gasket had stayed stuck to the block, your truck would have been spraying oil like a 1910 Oklahoma gusher. Again, I'll let you guess how I know this.
I suspect the oil filter is loose. This is a 15 second fix and then about 5 minutes of wiping the oil off of the bottom of your truck. I'd check the oil level as well. No telling how much has leaked elsewhere when not parked in the driveway. Good luck.
I would also check to see if the filter is tight. I've had them leak after having someone else do the oil change. It's one reason I always ty to do my own. Many of these shops don't tighten them enough.
If the old gasket stayed stuck to the bock, you would have a giant mess on your hadns and would likely have lost all of your oil by now. Want to guess how I know this? If that gasket had stayed stuck to the block, your truck would have been spraying oil like a 1910 Oklahoma gusher. Again, I'll let you guess how I know this.
I suspect the oil filter is loose. This is a 15 second fix and then about 5 minutes of wiping the oil off of the bottom of your truck. I'd check the oil level as well. No telling how much has leaked elsewhere when not parked in the driveway. Good luck.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
All good suggestions guys, & were the first things I thought of also, as they have been the most common in my expierence too.
About the only other things I can think of, not covered so far, that mght be associated with a post oil change leak, is the oil filer cap, & dipstick.
So raise the hood & check to make sure these two items are installed & properly seated too!!!!
About the only other things I can think of, not covered so far, that mght be associated with a post oil change leak, is the oil filer cap, & dipstick.
So raise the hood & check to make sure these two items are installed & properly seated too!!!!
