Oil leak

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

bearss07

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Posts
25
Reaction score
0
Location
NC
(In case it doesn't show, 2003 Expy 5.4 4WD)
So I noticed a little oil on the garage floor the other day. Forgot about it, then noticed a couple spots of oil outside the garage where my wife had temporarily parked. I checked the oil and it was a quart low. Got under there and found a decent amount under the engine, mostly the crossmember/trans. It was coming from the driver side rear of the engine, but I couldn't quite tell where as it was out of sight.
I did search, but all I found in relation to the head gasket issue was rear of the passenger side head and front of the driver side, not the rear of the driver side. Could it still be the head gasket? Gonna try and check and see if it's the valve cover gasket soon, but just wanted any other suggestions, if possible.
 

docraymund

Full Access Members
Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Posts
1,075
Reaction score
108
Location
philippines
That most likely is coming from the head gasket of bank 2. Not a cause for alarm just check your oil level frequently. And when you get a break, have it replaced.
 
OP
OP
B

bearss07

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Posts
25
Reaction score
0
Location
NC
That's what I'm afraid of. What's worse is I think my Jeep is having the same issue. SMH, gotta laugh though lol.

Sent from my VS880 using Tapatalk
 

razrback

Full Access Members
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
99
Reaction score
1
Location
Memphis, TN
I had a similar issue turned out to be the oil pan gasket was leaking. I could not find any leaks above that oil pan, so I replaced the gasket and it took care of the problem.
 

1955moose

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Posts
5,981
Reaction score
1,336
The oldest trick to find an oil leak, is to degrease engine, then sprinkle baby powder around underside of motor. In most cases oil will stick to powder from where's it's leaking. Hope that helps. You will need to get underside real clean first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
B

bearss07

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Posts
25
Reaction score
0
Location
NC
Thank y'all. Still haven't got around to cleaning/looking better yet. Seems like the leak has slowed a little. Gonna try and get to it in the next couple of days.
 

Habbibie

Is it Christmas yet?
Joined
Feb 2, 2016
Posts
1,854
Reaction score
564
Location
Chicago
The easy way to you guys involves a lot of work.

For me I just put a cardboard under the engine overnight, come in morning I'll know where did it drip and narrows my search down to one exact location.
 

tcwaltz

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Posts
200
Reaction score
50
Location
Niceville, FL
Did this occur after an oil change? Not sure if your year model is the same as mine but I have this little drain redirector deal under the oil filter Catches the oil and redirects it to where it can be caught in an oil pan. When I pulled the motor EVERYTHING was coated in oil and dirt so I think that when its being driven it blows what is left over all over the place. The fan in this moves some serious air. When I put the motor in disconnected a transmission cooler line that was in the way of changing a power steerling line. I put it in the radiator but didn't tighten it up. Started the motor and ATF everywhere. I'm still cleaning that crap up 6 months later.

My point is, wipe that little tray out after an oil change because that oil does get blown off that thing and all onto the bottom and side of the oil pan and tranny.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
B

bearss07

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Posts
25
Reaction score
0
Location
NC
When I bought it in March out was dry underneath and didn't leak anywhere. It did happen about 2500 miles after an oil change. It's almost due again. I looked up underneath it when I noticed it leaking and the oil is only on the driver side. Its coming from the back of the motor and its either the valve cover gasket or head gasket. I could get my arm up there to check it from underneath, but tomorrow I'm going to take the wheel and inner fender off to see if if I can get my arm in there and feel it with a dry glove. I'll keep this updated, I just don't get on a whole lot.
 
OP
OP
B

bearss07

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Posts
25
Reaction score
0
Location
NC
Well, the first little puddles I noticed were honey colored, like oil, so maybe it was leaking from that little tray. I looked tonight and didn't see oil coming from the back of the motor like I originally thought.
The fluid is only on the transmission, and while it originally looked brown as well, I saw some in one of the trans pan bolts, and it was red. There is some fluid scone the pan on the driver side, particularly on a stand of wires that comes down on that side. It's only part of the way up it. May be leaking from a sensor, going to look a little deeper there. I did tighten the trans pan bolts a tiny bit just to see if that does anything and there was no extra fluid in the grunt of the trans where that little rubber stopper is.
It just seemed weird that I thought it was leaking oil due to the puddles AND it was low. I also added another quart yesterday, so it still must be leaking (or burning) somewhere, but I don't see anything else leaking (and no weird exhaust colors or oil in the coolant).
 
Top