1999 Eddie Bauer 5.4L slow oil leak

[ctniners]

I am not mechanic at all...so I need some help on where and what to look for.

I am planning on going to take a look at a 1999 Eddie Bauer 5.4L. The current owner mentioned that only thing he noticed is that it has a very slow oil leak. He said that he never really worried much about it because he only had to top off only every couple of weeks maybe a quart or less.

He said that since it is a pretty big engine (he is disabled) he really never spent too much time trying to find where the leak was coming from.

So my question is.....are there places that I should look for an oil leak that will tell me right away it is something that is going to be too much trouble to fix?

Im just looking for obvious signs that this small leak is a reason to say no and avoid the truck.

Thanks a lot for all the help.

 

[rtbrjason]

Mine had a leaking head gasket when I bought it. It was leaking very small amounts of oil onto my exhaust manifolds (both sides) I drove it like that for a year and a half no issues just topping oil every now and then. I would use less than a quart between oil changes though.

This is a common leak area from what I've read and many people have had head gaskets replace. I had a friend help do mine at his shop and spent about $1300 total in labor and parts. I changed out both belt tensioner and idle pulley, alternator, belt and battery as well as a new water pump/ tstat and timing chain set as well as an O2 sensor and a few other misc parts. I also did both exhaust manifolds as they were rotted out and studs were even missing.

Even having to have done that, I would do it again. This truck runs great and still only has 130k on it which is half as much as many others I've seen and a lot of those are still running great. If the miles are low enough and you can get it cheap I would probably go for it.

 

[ctniners]

Thanks rtbrjason.....just wondering....is there a way to see with the naked eye if the leak is from a head gasket?

 

[rtbrjason]

In my case yes. On the passenger side specifically it was very clear that there was oil on the starter and everything in that area. It was visible from the passenger wheel well. It also left a small oil spot on the driveway.

 

[bedrck46]

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