Oil Drip

[Mr Bob]

I just got a 2002 XLT 5.4. 163k runs great but have an issue with an oil leak. I crawled under last night and see oil on on 3 rear bolts on the oil pan that drip down to the floor. I wiped cleaned the area on the pan and the bolts and put cardboard overnight to see if it drips again. This morning it had a quarter sized drop. I also checked the bolts on the pan last night and they seem to be snug and removed the round rubber piece for the bell housing and stuck my finger around and it seemed dry in there.

I looked up from the valve covers and they look dry on both sides and nothing leaking on the starter or exhaust and don't smell oil burning.

I'm guessing it could be the oil pan gasket(I hope) or the rear main seal(I hope not). Please let me know what you think.

BTW I love the Expy so far, just concerned about the drips.

 

[GAINMOB]

i'd go with the gasket but u'll have to identify that its coming from there...can u take pics and post here

 

[Mr Bob]

How would I rule out one or the other, I would think the oil pan wouldn't leak overnight unless the pan is filled to the top with oil, right?. Also how would RMS leak when car is off overnight....sorry just trying to figure this out.

 

[AbbadonTD]

I can tell you that mine dripped after an oil change for over a month. I thought I had a problem somewhere, but eventually it stopped. Spillover from a home done oil change takes a long time to work its way down, and so even 8 ounces or so, at a small quarter sized drip, takes a while to fall off.

Mine got bigger if I drove it, but it was constant, until, it stopped. I assume that the spill finished spilling.