HELP! Oil leaking onto exhaust of my 3rd gen.

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MCIntimidator

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http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/carenfeeding.html
Decent links there to help with some items. As for modifying the engine output, I would be reluctant. The tranny is finicky and the rebuilds (replacement materials) are not known for lasting as long as one would like. Tranny slipping is what made me get out of mine after getting close to 200k on the odo. I've seen posts of rebuilds not last. Just my general memory from that time maybe 8yrs ago or so. Rear seal is less likely to leak but not impossible. You have to be able to trace it either with a clean engine and fresh leaks or dye or something. Even a new set of seals up top could go awry without noticing it easily.

I can clearly see trannys are one of the biggest places where they're faulty. A tranny slipping can make the decision to get rid of it easy. I am already saving for a rebuilt one, and or developing the one I buy secondary.

The leak is now fixed. I was able to trace it to bolts near the crank with specifics. I apparently one the 2nd install bumped the pan on the frame wall. In turn you already know it messed up the gasket selaer. I hung it and we know what happened.

Took my time and the bolts that were leaking slowly are now dry. That article in the forum on only applying the gasket maker to the front of side of the bolts may have as well made the difference. I was surrounding them and the entire pan surface.

Thank you very much for staying persistent in my effort to get it fixed.
 

Rick Vavra

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:bs:I'm at my wits end. New suspension parts are here before weeks end but this oil pan has sprung a leak twice using black RTV. I cleaned the mating surfaces with a cleaning wheel brush on my drill and thinned the gasket sealer with my finger to ensure an equal and unexcessive amount was applied. Anyone know where to obtain an actual pan gasket? I am sick of doing this pan with Black RTV and drip, drip, drip. Oil and fumes from it hitting my exhaust and making small cloud plumes. What must one do?
:madflame::rant::ohreally:

I have a 99SHO with ~250k mi on it. Had it since new and it's still a daily driver. A few mons ago I was chasing a pretty significant oil leak that was accumulating on the pan and exhaust. I though for sure it was the oil cooler gasket. Turns out it was the camshaft seal. One of the cams extends through the head at the driver side front of the engine to drive the water pump pretty much right above the location of the oil filter/cooler. I understand it's not a common problem on the V-8's but they do fail. It was a pretty inexpensive and painless fix with parts and great detailed instructions from the guys at SHOSource. Not sure that's contributing to your problem but thought it was worth mentioning since I didn't see it discussed much as a common source of oil leakage on the V-8's.
 

MCIntimidator

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I have a 99SHO with ~250k mi on it. Had it since new and it's still a daily driver. A few mons ago I was chasing a pretty significant oil leak that was accumulating on the pan and exhaust. I though for sure it was the oil cooler gasket. Turns out it was the camshaft seal. One of the cams extends through the head at the driver side front of the engine to drive the water pump pretty much right above the location of the oil filter/cooler. I understand it's not a common problem on the V-8's but they do fail. It was a pretty inexpensive and painless fix with parts and great detailed instructions from the guys at SHOSource. Not sure that's contributing to your problem but thought it was worth mentioning since I didn't see it discussed much as a common source of oil leakage on the V-8's.

Great place for me to go if this starts again. I'm pretty sure I've nipped it because I witnessed the oil build up at 4 bolts of the pan. Right by the crank pulley. Run it at 1500 rpm and you would witness the SLOW build up collect where the pan meets the 4 bolts mating surface.

That is now not happening, but I'm due to road test this evening. Will see if I have truly gotten all the leak. Thank you for that insight. Will be good to replace it on mine and yes it is pretty painless. May tackle this when the injectors go in.
 

MCIntimidator

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You might consider looking about in the scrap yards and picking up a parts car. Due to the cam sprocket problem, there are a fair number of them about, and some have not yet been crushed.

Agreed, I definitely want another one for that purpose.

pax, smn
 

MCIntimidator

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Agreed, I want any and all arsenal available to me. I hate it so much my love is intrigued!
:lol:
 

MCIntimidator

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I have a 99SHO with ~250k mi on it. Had it since new and it's still a daily driver. A few mons ago I was chasing a pretty significant oil leak that was accumulating on the pan and exhaust. I though for sure it was the oil cooler gasket. Turns out it was the camshaft seal. One of the cams extends through the head at the driver side front of the engine to drive the water pump pretty much right above the location of the oil filter/cooler. I understand it's not a common problem on the V-8's but they do fail. It was a pretty inexpensive and painless fix with parts and great detailed instructions from the guys at SHOSource. Not sure that's contributing to your problem but thought it was worth mentioning since I didn't see it discussed much as a common source of oil leakage on the V-8's.
I honestly think you have found the leak. I still haven't confirmed it yet. However I am getting oil build up on that one side of the oil pan still.

The cam seals make perfect sense becuase the new gasket sealer zi put in is on the inside of the bolts all the way around the pan and all bolts are dry with exception now to 2 of the 4 that were leaking.

It's still building up very minimally but enough to make the car smoke when I stop and shut it off. That timing cover is on the outside of the bolts and gasket sealer I just used for the pan. Would come down the walls of the timing cover and right out those bolt holes.

This assumption is without opening it up yet. We just don't have the resources at the moment after investing into the steering and suspension. :madflame::mecry::omgsho::rant:

Damm man, I just did valve covers, intake manifold, and other oil gaskets. That would happen now becuase it wasn't leaking until recently.

Other than the cam seals. I don't know what else this could be as the other 16 or 17 bolts on the pan are dry as a bone. Sumbeech!
 

MCIntimidator

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I have a 99SHO with ~250k mi on it. Had it since new and it's still a daily driver. A few mons ago I was chasing a pretty significant oil leak that was accumulating on the pan and exhaust. I though for sure it was the oil cooler gasket. Turns out it was the camshaft seal. One of the cams extends through the head at the driver side front of the engine to drive the water pump pretty much right above the location of the oil filter/cooler. I understand it's not a common problem on the V-8's but they do fail. It was a pretty inexpensive and painless fix with parts and great detailed instructions from the guys at SHOSource. Not sure that's contributing to your problem but thought it was worth mentioning since I didn't see it discussed much as a common source of oil leakage on the V-8's.
I have a 99SHO with ~250k mi on it. Had it since new and it's still a daily driver. A few mons ago I was chasing a pretty significant oil leak that was accumulating on the pan and exhaust. I though for sure it was the oil cooler gasket. Turns out it was the camshaft seal. One of the cams extends through the head at the driver side front of the engine to drive the water pump pretty much right above the location of the oil filter/cooler. I understand it's not a common problem on the V-8's but they do fail. It was a pretty inexpensive and painless fix with parts and great detailed instructions from the guys at SHOSource. Not sure that's contributing to your problem but thought it was worth mentioning since I didn't see it discussed much as a common source of oil leakage on the V-8's.

However if that seal you're speaking of is over near the water pump (just got a new belt). I have no oil at the oil cooler/filter adapter. It's all seeping slowly out by those bolts near the crank pulley. It's not the crank seal because no oil accumulating behind the pulley. It's seeping out right at now 2 of the 4 bolts that were leaking below the crank pulley and rolling down the pan and dripping onto the exhaust.

I didn't think I bumped the pan while reinstalling, but maybe I did.
This is so freagging frustrating becasue I have now done this pan 3 times. Arrrgh, me and my older rides!
 

GEN 3 SHO FAN

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I was following your post for some time and I was also wondering if it can be the camshaft seal. I changed mine last year and I took some photos with some thoughts.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/replacing-v8-camshaft-seal.138388/

At least it's a good new that isn,t the timing cover gasket ... Available nowhere...

If you replace your oil pan, can you take some photos for the galery ? :) Mine is probably shot too and I will have to do that sooner or later. As you have some old cars, yours advices on repairs will be welcome.)

Thanks,
 
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MCIntimidator

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I was following your post for some time and I was also wondering if it can be the camshaft seal. I changed mine last year and I took some photos with some thoughts.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/replacing-v8-camshaft-seal.138388/

At least it's a good new that isn,t the timing cover gasket ... Available nowhere...

If you replace your oil pan, can you take some photos for the galery ? :) Mine is probably shot too and I will have to do that sooner or later. As you have some old cars, yours advices on repairs will be welcome.)

Thanks,

Yeah I think my timing cover gasket is bad also. I noticed oil drip onto the front of my pan while I was just underneath it. Autozone sells a fel-pro rubber material sheet that is 26 inches long and 10 inches wide. 7 or 8.99! The material is much like a gasket we all wish we could purchase. Just have to custom cut it. I will add a 1/6" bead to ensure it seals everything.

I unfortunately did not take pics, but considering I am leaking from that timing cover, and oil pan still (barely). I am going to use the fel-pro gasket sheet and add pics for the gallery. Probably buy 2 or 3 and attempt making one for the timing cover and oil pan.

I as well noticed my starter has oil residue. More of a shine than liquid build up. I may go ahead and knock out that came seal as well. Is there not one on the other cam?

Would also like to mention to anyone else that reads this. My power steering line at the pump is also leaking. Has been dripping all the way down the passenger side of the block. Most likely accumulated with the oil and is adding to the smoking.

Man I now have a lot more work ahead of me and my spine is not ready. Not to mention I have given myself tendanitis in my arms doing this pan 3 times. Yikes! :madflame:
 

MCIntimidator

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This car only has 87k and I can't believe how many leaks I have fixed already not including what's coming...
 

MCIntimidator

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I was following your post for some time and I was also wondering if it can be the camshaft seal. I changed mine last year and I took some photos with some thoughts.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/replacing-v8-camshaft-seal.138388/

At least it's a good new that isn,t the timing cover gasket ... Available nowhere...

If you replace your oil pan, can you take some photos for the galery ? :) Mine is probably shot too and I will have to do that sooner or later. As you have some old cars, yours advices on repairs will be welcome.)

Thanks,

Thank you very much for your response as well.☺ All of the information including yours I have received from everyone so motivated is great.

I hope these custom gaskets will work. I am going to cut them as precise as a razor cutting tool will allow. They will be attached to the gasket sealer filling the crevice of the timing cover. Pending the thickness of the fel-pro material. I may just use that alone on the oil pan.

So much Information. I am stupid happy I found this many enthusiastic SHO owners like me. Soon as some decent funds come back in I am dropping a donation.

I feel good about what I'm going to make. Think I may just purchase Ford's black RTV or whatever they call it...
 

GEN 3 SHO FAN

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This car only has 87k and I can't believe how many leaks I have fixed already not including what's coming...

After more than 20 years, nearly all gaskets will be shot... low or high mileage doesn't matter at this point. But don't give up, after all this time, some start to say that Gen 3 is probably the most reliable of the SHOs gens, ...if yours cams are welded.

I as well noticed my starter has oil residue. More of a shine than liquid build up. I may go ahead and knock out that came seal as well. Is there not one on the other cam?

Nope, only one to move the waterpump on front bank (part is around 6-8 US$). When I noticed oil in this area, I thought it was the oil cooler leaking too. But watching attentively, I remarked that oil was spreading in areas upper than the cooler and realized that the waterpump strap was soaked with oil... If you have your vanity cover bolted ("SHO, V8 32 valves"), retreive it and you will probably see a straight line of oil under it (in the same direction as the pulley) if you have this problem.

Good luck and thanks for the photos,
 

MCIntimidator

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After more than 20 years, nearly all gaskets will be shot... low or high mileage doesn't matter at this point. But don't give up, after all this time, some start to say that Gen 3 is probably the most reliable of the SHOs gens, ...if yours cams are welded.



Nope, only one to move the waterpump on front bank (part is around 6-8 US$). When I noticed oil in this area, I thought it was the oil cooler leaking too. But watching attentively, I remarked that oil was spreading in areas upper than the cooler and realized that the waterpump strap was soaked with oil... If you have your vanity cover bolted ("SHO, V8 32 valves"), retreive it and you will probably see a straight line of oil under it (in the same direction as the pulley) if you have this problem.

Good luck and thanks for the photos,
After more than 20 years, nearly all gaskets will be shot... low or high mileage doesn't matter at this point. But don't give up, after all this time, some start to say that Gen 3 is probably the most reliable of the SHOs gens, ...if yours cams are welded.



Nope, only one to move the waterpump on front bank (part is around 6-8 US$). When I noticed oil in this area, I thought it was the oil cooler leaking too. But watching attentively, I remarked that oil was spreading in areas upper than the cooler and realized that the waterpump strap was soaked with oil... If you have your vanity cover bolted ("SHO, V8 32 valves"), retreive it and you will probably see a straight line of oil under it (in the same direction as the pulley) if you have this problem.

Good luck and thanks for the photos,

Good to know on the cam seal :bowrofl:and the photos will be coming. For the record my oil cooler was leaking until I fixed it with RTV. That was never posted just commented that I fixed it from what I'm seeing. I didn't think to check for residue trailing and there wasn't any I noticed when the new water pump belt went in. Doesn't mean it isn't seeping because my starter is moisture shiny. Just not soaked or dripping.

My lifted Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo 4x4 with a 5.2l V8 has the factory gaskets on the oil pan, tranny, and timing cover actually. 207,000 miles and none are leaking. Power steering gear is, but other than this nothing is. I did replace the valve covers. :burnout:Gaskets last as long as the person driving is willing to commit to it's up keeping. Unless; The quality of those 3 particular gaskets to whit I am referring on an SHO are just poopie or else I would agree.

Never the less all of this information is promising and I am far from quitting. After my shiny new Kyb struts, king springs, and all new remaining suspension and steering go in. Up next is those cams getting welded.

First, these leaks and custom gaskets I look forward :boink: to attempting. Again; Every:) one following this post and adding what they know is really cool to me! Thank you, all of you. :bowrofl::omgsho:
 

SHOZ123

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You can rejuvenate the old hard OE gaskets and reuse them. Soak in lacquer thinner and then some oil. Do not let sit in the lacquer thinner too long or they become jelly like and then tear very easily.

When applying the RTV I did not smear it or let it partially cure. The factory uses a robot to apply the RTV and I believe they go right down the center and circle the holes. An 1/8" bead is good. Most bolts will have RTV on the end when removed. Assemble but do not final torque until an hour goes by.
 

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