Mystery Oil Leaks

[93SHOer]

My SHO has a leak on the engine somewhere on the passenger side of the engine. While driving theres a smell of burning oil and after I stop and lift the hood theres smoke coming from around the accesory belt area. I changed the steering pump last year and noticed oil had pooled in a recessed spot on the engine block behind the ps pump.

Is there a common area it might be leaking from? Getting tired of my kids telling me my car stinks when were driving in the hot weather with the vent open!

 

[SHO_ROLLER_2]

Camshaft seals, leaky PS hose, front main, or valve cover gaskets.

When the last time teh top and front 60K's have been done?

 

[93SHOer]

Camshaft seals, leaky PS hose, front main, or valve cover gaskets.

When the last time teh top and front 60K's have been done?

I think the ps hose is fine. No splattered oil when I took off the timing cover so I assume front main ok, I will try valve cover gaskets since thats easy. How can I check if its cam seals?

 

[trainguy1989]

I think the ps hose is fine. No splattered oil when I took off the timing cover so I assume front main ok, I will try valve cover gaskets since thats easy. How can I check if its cam seals?

If you see no oil around the timing sprockets. The two cam seals up there are probably fine. Next step would to be to remove the CID sensor and look for oil behind that. Chances are that's the one that is leaking if its not the valve covers.

 

[93SHOer]

If you see no oil around the timing sprockets. The two cam seals up there are probably fine. Next step would to be to remove the CID sensor and look for oil behind that. Chances are that's the one that is leaking if its not the valve covers.

Whats the CID sensor and where is it?

 

[trainguy1989]

Whats the CID sensor and where is it?

The CID is the cam position sensor.
Little black cap on the rear cam, passenger side.

 

[93SHOer]

Oil leaks no more! Turns out the oil was leaking from the crappy oil filter (motomaster), dripping down the filter onto the wire harness for starter, on to the frame and back on the oil pan.

Changed to a Motorcraft fl-400 and its nice and clean on my drivway now! I will be checking behind the CID sensor though just in case the pool of fluid on the engine block is still there.

 

[rubydist]

when did the oil filter get to be on "the passenger side of the engine"???

 

[93SHOer]

when did the oil filter get to be on "the passenger side of the engine"???

Car was sitting for the last 6 months so probably some seepage was on the passanger side around ps pump that I has changed, smoked for a few days and burned off I guess.

Trying to track the leak I found the filter leak and read info about how the Motorcraft filters are the better one's to use for the SHO and not the Frams or Motomasters(Canadian Tire Brand).

 

[93SHOer]

Car is leaking again after having no leaks for the last month. Oil is leaking and dripping down the rear passenger side motor mount and then drips onto the Catalytic converter. There is oil on top of the ps pump around the hose area but I don't know if its leaking there or from the cid sensor and just coming down onto the ps pump. Oil level is lower so I'm not sure if its the ps pump hose on top leaking or from behind the cid sensor.

If it leaks out of the ps pump hose on top can it be tightened?

If it leaks out from behind the cid sensor will changing the cid sensor fix the leak(is there a gasket for the cid sensor where it would be leaking out of or how does the cid sensor leak oil?).

 

[jayro]

IT is the seal behind the sensor that is leaking. It is one of the cam seals.

 

[93SHOer]

IT is the seal behind the sensor that is leaking. It is one of the cam seals.

How hard is it to change the cam seal?

 

[rubydist]

its moderately challenging to change that oil seal - it helps tremendously to have the seal expander tool from the Ford engine toolkit.

if its the ps pump, there are at least 4 possible places for the leak to occur:
1. the inlet hose could be loose or split - tightening the hose clamp might fix that.
2. the inlet elbow has a little o-ring under it, which I have seen shrink up and leak. you can remove the inlet elbow and replace that o-ring.
3. the shaft seal can leak, although that is pretty rare on this pump.
4. the pressure hose or fitting can leak. make sure it is tight.

most likely candidate is the cam seal, though.

 

[jayro]

How hard is it to change the cam seal?

Ive never done it with the engine in the car. The biggest thing to watch for is not damaging the seal as it slides over the end if the cam and the metal fin that is attached to it. I replaced mine when I the engine was on a stand during a rebuild. I did not use the ford tool, and have no leaks so far (5k miles), but I have heard the tool makes it alot easier. Use the replacment ford seals. Pretty much all the others are known to leak.

 

[93SHOer]

Is there a temporary fix to slow the leaking like using thicker oil or some additive to condition the seal?
Its wierd how it stopped leaking for over a month after I changed the oil to 10w40.

I will get to changing the seals but dont' have time for the next couple of months.

 

[GT94SHO]

Sorry

Sorry, not much you can do for it besides replace the seal if you've removed the sensor & confirmed oil pool behind it. Careful not to scratch the camshaft when removing the old seal; that will really cause you grief.

 

[jayro]

Some brands make highmilage oil. It is supposed to have additives that help seals. Ive always used Castrol. Really, just check your oil level frequently. It could start causing some issues from getting on the sensor, but I drove mine all summer last year with the exact same seal leaking and had no problems.