I have a '94 Town Car with the 4.6....has been very dependable even with having 160k miles.....recently I changed the oil filter and started having a problem. After changing the oil & filter...I noticed the new filter was leaking....so put my trusty filter wrench and snugged it up a bit...didnt stop...so bought another brand filter and replaced it....had to snug this one more than usual too in order not to get drips while idling..... I did notice a faint oil burning smell at the drivers side front fender wheel opening ....for about a month....then...a couple days ago.... I started smelling a LOT stronger smell and even inside the car while driving.....like oil burning off the exhaust .... yet see no drips when idling in place.

does anyone know if these is an issue with these 4.6s with leaks around the filter/filter housing to block area....its so tight in there I really cant see much and dont have a lift to put it on........must be very slow leak because havent noticed oil level dropping...but stench is bad in the car from oil burning.....any help appreciated

 

The only problems I have seen are from the gasket between the block and the oil filter housing leaking. This is kinda common. The old filter gasket isn't stuck to the housing is it?

 

NO...for sure.....ALWAYS check that...no left over oil filter gasket.....I was thinking the block- to filter housing gasket...but have never seen that.....only time I had that problem was when I was a youngster....and tried to reuse the stamped steel gasket between block and housing...NEVER seen them leak once a good one was in place.......guess anything is possible......

Was just taking a shot in the dark by asking...I know the odds are Ill be on my back .......working up a dead goats ***.....taking that filter housing off and seeing if its cracked and replacing the gasket.....hope that fixes it because the car is not driveable with that stench.....just though MAYBE some one had this happen....its just very strange that after no problem.....a new filter would LEAK

 

I would try a third filter first. Make sure your threads are OK on the mounting stud. Avoid Fram; good commercials, terrible filters.

 

LX MAN HAS IT RIGHT.the filter adapter plate gasket is leaking-very common. very easy to fix but heads up on the fact that coolant also goes through it so dont panic when you see a/f when you pull it
jim

 

Yep, ya better drain the radiator before removing it.