Oil Pan Leak behind harmonic balancer
 

I have noticed a small leak from my oil pan behind the harmonic balancer. The leak doesn't appear to be significant, but it's still a leak and should be fixed. The oil level read on the dipstick hasn't dropped below the full-line, but I'd still like the fix the leak with some help; it looks like the gasket has just worn down. This is a 95 F250 4x4 turbodiesel 7.3 with 197,000 miles. I doubt the gasket has ever been changed.

Thank you

I think you'll just want to leave it alone.

If it is the oil pump (which sits just behind the balancer) it might not be too bad a job, but if it is indeed leaking from the front cover, or the pan gasket the engine has to come out to replace the seal or gasket. It is possible that a new LPOP would take care of it though. That's about as far as I would be willing to go to fix a slight leak.

Is there a way to determine if the LPOP is bad? My gauge shows normal pressure and the truck is not running hot.

It wouldn't necessarily be that the pump is bad, just that it could be leaking. Your best bet is to get it all cleaned up with parts cleaner or a pressure washer or something and then see exactly where the oil is coming from. If it's the LPOP, it maybe worthwhile to replace it if the leak really bothers you. If it is from the pan or the front cover, it's not really worth it unless that little leak REALLY bugs you.

My bet is it"s the press in seal that presses into the lpop and seals to the harmonic balancer itself. When I did mine, the balancer had a nice little groove worn into it where the seal rides on it. The seal that I bought came with a thin sleeve that presses onto the balancer shaft to give the seal a smooth surface without the groove to seal to. I just put a little threadlock on the shaft and used a piece of the correct size exhaust pipe to drive the sleeve on. Mine doesnt leak anymore.... Or. it could be the lpop seal. It is just a large o-ring that fits into a groove on the back side of the lpop. I just put a little of the Ford gray silicone on it and bolted it on. no leaks yet.
If it is actually the oil pan leaking, you have to pull the engine to reseal that.