New 2 me 1999 Ex 4x4

Hey guys, I am on vacation right now in Puerto Rico until the first of July, been 3 weeks already. I am ready to come home for sure.

Since I am on here right now, I have a question. Before I left for vacation, I noticed I have a oil leak coming from the P/S upper back area of the engine that is running down on the starter to the exhaust pipe and burning a beautiful oil burn odor. I have searched up and down, and even took the wheel well splash shield off to take a look. I can not seem to find the area of concern. Is this a common issue? And if so, can some point me in the right direction? I am sorry ahead of time if this has been discussed before or many times, but this hotel internet cafe is sooooo slow in speed it takes forever to browse page to page.

Thanks in advance if any help can be given.

" but this hotel internet cafe is sooooo slow in speed it takes forever to browse page to page. "

The story of all expats. What do you mean you're ready to come home already?!

In the past when I was chasing a leak, I would spray the engine with degreaser and power wash the engine and transmission and blow back areas with a vengence. This could also mean laying on your back.

The advantage is it's easier to trace if you watch it closely.

Now you can buy dye and look at your engine area under a blacklight for the leaky glow spots.

Of course, if you're going to powerwasher an engine, let it cool down a lot until it's not hot your you're hear plugs crack etc.

just read this entire thread....man that is one sharp Exped sir! It gets me in the mood to do some mods to mine....all it takes is money haha

Maverick1701 said:

just read this entire thread....man that is one sharp Exped sir!

Click to expand...

Thank You!

I also read the whole thread, Looking good!!!! very clean and I know you have a steering wheel cover but you need to check out a wheelskins steering wheel cover, I got the 2-tone sand and brown and it really sets off the wheel

Hi Bill, I'm returning home from deployment next month. I just wanted to let you know that I have thoroughly enjoyed following this thread since its creation and I have been able to learn a LOT from it as I've read, re-read, and re-read it again multiple times. I've also been able to get some ideas for what I will do to mine when I get home. Thanks for taking your time to lay out everything you have done and for helping the rest of us with our questions. I'm sure I'll be coming to you with some of my own in the near future. Oh and while I'm not a paratrooper, my Grandfather was in WW2 and my Uncle was as in Nam.

Thank you for your service! I too just joined today(12-2-12) and have had my 99' XLT for just four months.
Good Luck.

AMAZING THREAD!
I just joined this week. As many others have said:
1. Thank you for your service.
2. SWEET BUILD and write up. I love the attention to detail.

It really makes me want to do things to my truck, too. I really like the gauges. I may do those first... not really into lifting it - did that with my Jeep... I am also tempted to go with the JLT CAI and the tuner... more MPG is a great reason for a new toy.

Just went through the whole thread your truck looks great I just got mine a few weeks ago so far I did headlights,taillights,fully tinted,and hids

Still having torsion twist issues?

sky jumper,
i believe your iol leak on the back pass side is the dreaded pass side head gasket leak. just having mine done now, at 1200 dollars. it turns out that in 99 they had a head gasket design flaw on the pass side in back where the head meets the block there is a high pressure oil passage in the head that seeps oil through the gasket causing it to puddle up on the block and spill down the bell housing on to starter and cat converter causing that burnt oil smell. ford has made updated head ghaskets, 4ply as opposed to 2ply to solve the prob. mine did it, it didnot run hot, or leak any antifreeze, it just seemed like a oil leak till i took it to the shop, they put it on the lift and showed me with a mirror on a car antenna like tool. i also have the 4.6L so 1200 bucks and all new top end gaskets and no more oil leak. sorry to be the bearer of bad news, i hope im wrong about yours. keep us posted diesel3