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leaky head gasket? And/Or something else?

C

CONTOURCODY

CEG'er
Joined
Apr 27, 2003
Messages
73
I've attached some pictures. Tell me what you think is the problem(s).
 

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CONTOURCODY said:
I've attached some pictures. Tell me what you think is the problem(s).
Click to expand...

The problem was that it was posted under "maintenance" and not "troubleshooting". :)

Now that it is in the correct forum, you will get much quicker responses.
 
I just replaced my head gaskets, and your engine has 5x the oil coverage. It is a PITA to see but check the oil sending unit above and to the left of the oil filter.The A/C compressor blocks the view of it. Your valve covers seem to be leaking also.

How many miles are on the car?
How long has it looked like these pictures?
 
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My car has just under 81,000 miles on it.
I've only had this car for about 4 months.
And I first noticed the wettness under the engine about 2 months ago.
But I didn't notice the leak around the head gasket until this past weekend.

So you're saying you think the oil sending unit might be leaking also?
I'll try to check that out this weekend sometime.
 
Yup, looks like a Contour alright! When mine was under warranty Ford replaced a bunch of gaskets. They started to leak again about 2 years ago. Just enough to be annoying and smelly when it drips on the crossover. Mobil 1 will also sneak past gaskets a little bit more. I did one oil change with some of that Pennzoil high mileage oil and it slowed it down a bit. Not worth changing them on this old machine because it doesn't even lose a 1/2 quart between changes. I have to spray the block with 409 and hose it down after a change anyway.
BTW, that isn't the "head" gasket that is leaking, it's the cam cover. Check your power steering pump too for leakage. It will give a wet look to the front of the engine block.
Both car also had A/C hose leaks years ago which sprayed refrigerant oil on the front of the engine.
 
Looks like valve cover gaskets and well as a front timing cover leak. Can't tell w/o seeing the car. Sure isn't a head gasket. LOL!
 
Not a head gasket problem, thank god. Damn glad I'm a member of this site. Thanks guys!

So I'll definitely do the valve cover gaskets.
I'll check on the power steering pump, A/C hose, and the front timing cover over the weekend.

All of those combined would be less expensive to repair than a head gasket fix, correct?
 
CONTOURCODY said:
Not a head gasket problem, thank god. Damn glad I'm a member of this site. Thanks guys!

So I'll definitely do the valve cover gaskets.
I'll check on the power steering pump, A/C hose, and the front timing cover over the weekend.

All of those combined would be less expensive to repair than a head gasket fix, correct?
Click to expand...
Correct.....
 
The oil pan probably is leaking. To me the majority of the oil is coming from above the pan gasket. Clean the oil mess up and try to see where most of it is coming from. Good luck.
 
eepals said:
The oil pan probably is leaking. To me the majority of the oil is coming from above the pan gasket. Clean the oil mess up and try to see where most of it is coming from. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Mine had a leak that look like the pic of your oil pan. I just found that it was leaking from the oil filter that was 2 full turns from being hand tight:eek:
never had that before:confused: and I changed it last time.
 
The right way to check this out is to clean it up with degreaser (such as Simple Green) and then keep an eye on it as it continues to leak. You should be able to better identify the source of the leak with the older stuff cleaned off. I suspect that you need valve cover gaskets and an oil pan gasket.
 
I like Jim's answer.

I'd still do the valve cover gaskets and check to make sure the oil filter seal hasn't gone out or leaked. Might as well just change it while you're down there.

It's not the head gaskets.
 
Big Jim, you said about using a degreaser. Would I just spray the stuff on, leave it sit awhile, then hose it down with water? Can a car wash sprayer be used in the engine bay?

I just had an oil change on Saturday. So if the oil filter was leaking, that should be solved.
 
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Yes, you can spray on the degreaser, leave it for a minute or two, and then spray it off with water. I would not use a high pressure sprayer though, at least not without a great deal of care, as you don't want to force water into places it doesn't belong including wiring connections.
 
Let us know how you make out. I have a similar problem with my 97 Mystique. The burning oil odor at red lights is a little rough.

Ray
 
Well I noticed something new today.

As I was removing my stock intake, I noticed that the MAF had oil on it. Then I saw the entire inside of the piece from the throttle body to MAF was coated with oil.
To me it looked like the oil was coming from the tube that connects under the plastic shield on the front of the engine.
Is that possible? And what is that tube?
 
CONTOURCODY said:
Well I noticed something new today.

As I was removing my stock intake, I noticed that the MAF had oil on it. Then I saw the entire inside of the piece from the throttle body to MAF was coated with oil.
To me it looked like the oil was coming from the tube that connects under the plastic shield on the front of the engine.
Is that possible? And what is that tube?
Click to expand...
Autozonelink. Figure 4. Left hand crankcase ventilation tube.
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/c4/af/0900823d801bc4af/repairInfoPages.htm
 
If that line, or the PCV valve that it connects to, is plugged or restricted, it will allow the crankcase to pressurize, putting a strain on seals and gaskets so it is more likely to leak from any or all of them. If you don't correct the PCV restriction problem (if it is restricted), when you fix an oil leak either it will return or it will blow out the next weakest gasket or seal.
 
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