Oil leak but not sure from where?

[duneslider]

I was changing the oil this weekend and I am getting oil leaking from someplace up above but I can't tell where, this is a fairly sizeable leak too but its almost like the entire passenger side of the engine from the heads down has oil residue. There is a lot over on that side of the engine and I didn't time to do a lot of digging but best I could tell I don't believe it is the valve covers and the sides of heads are clean (at least towards the front) but I can see the alternator good and it is covered so basically that level and all the way to the back is covered in oil and dirt, seemed wetter towards the front but I just am not seeing any place that "looks" like the problem.

Are there any locations that these are really known to leak? In a quick search on google it sounds like on the F150 forums they talk about a vacuum pump leaking but I think that is towards the back of the engine on that side and it doesn't seem like so much oil would move forward? Maybe I am wrong and air blowing around in there does move it forward? I think I will have to pull the engine cover to see where the vacuum pump is and see if I can tell if that is where its coming from.

Any other areas that are known leakers?

 

[Left Coast Geek]

clean the engine with some degreaser, add a little vial of fluorescent oil dye like https://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-Certified-Fuel-Systems-Ounce/dp/B002M4G24U/ to the oil, drive a few miles, park where its fairly dark, and inspect the engine compartment with an ultraviolet flashlight like https://www.amazon.com/TrixHub-Flashlight-Rechargeable-Ultraviolet-Detection/dp/B0F9W34NXC

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

I was changing the oil this weekend and I am getting oil leaking from someplace up above but I can't tell where, this is a fairly sizeable leak too but its almost like the entire passenger side of the engine from the heads down has oil residue. There is a lot over on that side of the engine and I didn't time to do a lot of digging but best I could tell I don't believe it is the valve covers and the sides of heads are clean (at least towards the front) but I can see the alternator good and it is covered so basically that level and all the way to the back is covered in oil and dirt, seemed wetter towards the front but I just am not seeing any place that "looks" like the problem.

Are there any locations that these are really known to leak? In a quick search on google it sounds like on the F150 forums they talk about a vacuum pump leaking but I think that is towards the back of the engine on that side and it doesn't seem like so much oil would move forward? Maybe I am wrong and air blowing around in there does move it forward? I think I will have to pull the engine cover to see where the vacuum pump is and see if I can tell if that is where its coming from.

Any other areas that are known leakers?

You will find a lot of references to cracked valve covers causing leaks, normally following their removal and reinstallation as part of another repair such as phaser replacement.

 

[3rd Expyowner123]

After two cam phaser replacement and time, my Ford Dealer reported both valve cover gaskets needed replaced due to leakage

 

[duneslider]

After two cam phaser replacement and time, my Ford Dealer reported both valve cover gaskets needed replaced due to leakage

No engine work on this one. Also, I am not seeing any evidence of oil above the bottom of the heads. I am pretty certain the oil is coming from somewhere below the level of the bottom of the head on the passenger side. Gotta keep looking but its hard to see great along that side.

 

[F150 Pat]

My 2019 with 95k is in at the dealer for the oil leak. Drivers side forward I had oil puddling between the Valve cover and intake. Cracked Valve cover. They said it was a fairly common issue. I have an extended warranty so that why it's in. I would of done it myself otherwise.

 

[CoolViper777]

I'll second that cracked valve cover. Our 2019 Exp had a burning smell my wife noticed (she's the one that usually drives it, I drive my LS460). We didn't even notice an oil leak. But Ford found it, and same for us, it's covered under our extended warranty. It's a nice SUV, but what a shame that in our two years of owning it, without that extended warranty, we'd probably be in the $6k to $8 in repairs for AC evaporator, wheel bearing, drivers heating/cooling mechanism, AC and moonroof drain repair, etc. And now that valve cover.

 

[Trainmaster]

Remember that the 2019 is pushing eight years old...

 

[duneslider]

Remember that the 2019 is pushing eight years old...

What does this mean? Are they supposed to leak at a certain age?

Also, not the valve covers here, no visible oil above the bottom of the heads. Valve covers are at the top of the heads and much higher than any visible oil. Seems to not be leaving drops on the ground now, so it has either slowed or stopped.