I have a 1996 F-250 Quad-Cab Powerstroke 7.3.

I had it in the shop about 2000 miles ago cuz it was leaking oil. It wasn't alot, but my driveway is a mess and it bugs me. Turned out it was just the drain plug gasket. Shop put a new one on and no more spots on the driveway.

Last weekend, I noticed a BIG spot on the driveway under the truck. Put some cardboard under it and ran it for about 15 minutes to see what the leak was. Didin't smell like Diesel, so I'm guessing oil. I drove it to town (about 15-20 miles) to get it washed, then drove back home. By the time I shut off the engine, and put another piece of cardboard under it, there was already about a 2 in. diameter puddle under the truck. Very hard to see where it's coming from. Appears to be the rear main seal to me. Leaking under the tranny dust covery and the starter flange is covered in oil. A little bit on the pan, but not as much as the starter flange. The valley is dirty and a bit wet, but not like the underside.

This was VERY sudden. Something "popped", but not sure what would have done that all of a sudden. I do very little towing/hauling with it. I bought it because of the quad-cab to haul kids mostly. I baby this thing more than I've babied any other vehicle in my life.

Any ideas? It's at the shop and they guy looked at it and suggested rear main seal as well. I don't have the time or tools to do it by myself. I'm looking for verification to make sure that's what it is/could be.

 

were a spot is leaking can be deseiving, check behind the turbo or infront of it, see if the seals from the ebpv are leaking or just the pedistal itself, i had a powerstearing leak and becuase it was atf in there i thought from where it was showing the leak i thought my rear main was leaking awell.

 

The EBPV and the Pedestal seals would be the first place to check. Highly unlikely to be the rear main. Clean the area beneath the pedestal squeaky clean and check with a bright flashlight and a good mirror.

Here's hoping,

Rog