Valley is dry. O-rings have been replaced in almost everything. It looks like the rear of the pass side v/c gasket is leaking, but I have never seen a v/c gasket leak on a 7.3. Is there something on the back of the head that can leak?

 

There is an Oil rail plug on the back of the head, may need a new O ring ...

 

How about the Exhaust Back Pressure Valve Actuator?

 

I would also look closely at this. Oil over the starter usually comes from up in the valley. And you said your valley is dry, but back under the pedistal its kinda hard to see. Flashlight definetely required.

 

I get oil on my starter because the rear main has been leaking for some time now.

 

Are you sure about that? Rear main leaks are extremely, extremely rare on 7.3s. So many oil leaks from the valley area "appear" to look like rear main leaks. Because it ends up coming out in the same spot. Sometimes by the starter, sometimes, from between the tranny and engine, were the service plate is.

 

Unfortunately I am positive.When it first started I checked the valley,vc,head connections and they were all dry.Pulled the dust covers off and cleaned everything good.Drove it for a week and you could see what was going on.So,I am one of the very few I recon.It will get fixed when the motor needs to come out.

 

Well that is terribly unfortunate. Be sure to replace that oil pan if you have any rust. You may also consider looking at those plugs, and look very closely around the turbo pedistal. Some of those leaks are hard to see. White paper towels stuffed in and around the pedistal while the motor is running is helpfull. Makes it more obvious. Im not saying your not correct. Just would hate for you to pull the motor, to find out that wasnt the case infact.

 

I'm one of the other very few with a rear main oil leak. I rarely see them too, but I cleaned and checked and you can see how there is a little dribble from the seal that the flywheel then flings onto the starter. Other leaks have looked like rear main, but they were traceable to other areas.

 

We have had the turbo off twice recently.Ped is plugged so I know it is not coming from the top.I have looked several times hoping it was not the main but it is.I just live with it and someday it will get fixed.Other than that the motor is strong.

 

Good deal, Im glad you investigated it well. Like I said, I know I would hate to pull the motor to fix that, to find out, it was something else!

 

I have the same leak right now. Post up what you find 5.0 Junkie.

 

The few the proud? My rear main also had a small leak! I had my rear main replaced when they pulled my tranny to replace the torque converter seal. The seals are relatively cheap its the labor that hurts!

 

Got oil on the starter also. Pretty sure it's EBPV actuator, as all else is dry. Plan to repair this spring, as well as install a few other goodies.

 

Thanks. Anyone know if that o-ring is in the big kit from Riffraff?

EBPV is gutted and plugged. It was leaking, but I fixed that when I did the up pipes.

I'll mess with it this weekend if we don't get a bunch of snow again. I'll let everyone know what I find.