Oil Leak Found (I think). Need Help - Pics Included
 

Following up with my previous post here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-burn-oil.html, I think found the reason my oil level had dropped since doing a change 2k miles ago. This vehicle, a 1997 Ford Expedition 4x4, 5.4L with factory tow package and the two external coolers (oil and tranny), is new to me since February. I bought the vehicle and immediately changed the motor oil to give me a fresh start. I had been reading that these motors may burn oil under normal circumstances, even if the vehicle has been well maintained. I checked the level the other night and the level was low starting my thread mentioned above. For all the details, please read that.

Anyway, I had 10 min at lunch to crawl underneath and this is what I saw:

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/v...0514091253.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/v...514091253a.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/v...0514091302.jpg

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/v...514091302a.jpg

Explaining what I saw from top to bottom.

Pic 1: Oil and gunk everywhere on the AC compressor. The lines on the driver's side running from the motor to the external filter location are fine with no oil residue anywhere. Clean. However these look to be the return lines for the oil or transmission cooler. I think they are transmission lines because the lines go back farther as seen in Picture 4. Not sure though - so I need a Ford expert on that.

Pic 2: More oil and gunk on the front side of the oil pan. I noticed a split in between the two bolts and did not know if this was normal. The split you see is on the driver's side front corner of the pan where there is gun but not as much as the passenger side. I think this is from oil running over time.

Pic 3: Yes, that is oil on the bottom of the transmission by the rubber gasket. I checked it twice so the oil is running from somewhere.

Pic 4: This is the rear passenger of the oil pan. You can see where it butts up with the transmission. Notice the oil gunk on the lines - those look like transmission cooling lines. Also, notice the drop of oil on the head of the pan bolt.

So, where should I begin looking? Any common leaking areas on the passenger side of the 5.4? Should I completely hose down the are with carb cleaner and start fresh? It is loose pan bolts that need tightening? If so, what's the torque specs on the pan bolts? I'd also like to add that in this time I have never seen oil on the ground nor have I ever smelled oil burning.

Thanks guys.

Wow that looks like a lot of crap and is hard to tell anything. The first thing I would do is go buy a can of GUNK engine degreaser go to the local do-it-your-self car wash with the high pressure spray, spray down all that crap with degreaser and power wash it all off then check in a few days to see where the oil is coming from.

Looks like a front crankshaft oil seal. Possibly putting dye in the oil to pinpoint the leak may help.

i second the dye.it takes the guesswork out of the equasion.

If it is...just saying...is a typical repair like that a DIY for the average wrench turner or is that a shop repair? I'm fairly confident in my ability unless this means dismantling the engine - then I'll pass.

looks purple I am guessing transmission fluid.

I thought so at first also. Tranny fluid is up and on the line. Must be the pictures thats making it look purple. In fact its brown and the oil is the only thing that has dropped.

The front cover seal (Part # 18 below) is only $7.55. There is a rear main seal but I did not see a front main seal.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

http://www.trademotion.com/schematic...al/T120040.gif

X2 on the wash and dye!

Thanks for the diagram. Yep I don't think this is a job I want to handle if its for sure the seal. I will buy some degreaser Monday and report back.