babblefish
New CEG'er
I've had an oil leak in my 1998 Contour SE for what seems like forever. Got to the point where I was adding oil every 3 or 4 days. Wherever I parked, my car would mark it's spot with oil drips. It got so bad that oil ended up all over the power steering pump, the exhaust (smelled wonderful
), suspension, brakes, everywhere. At stop lights, I'd be protected by a smoke screen (kinda embarrassing). Sometimes I'd lose my power steering because the belt would start slipping. I've used degreaser before, but I guess not enough to clean things well enough to pin-point the leak. I finally just about dunked the entire engine compartment in degreaser and scrubbed as much as I could to get things really clean. Drove the car to a buddies shop and put the car on a hoist (bottom of engine was covered again in oil) with the engine running and it looked like it was coming from the oil pressure switch located behind the air conditioner compressor. Tough little bugger to get to, too without removing the compressor. Anyway, decided to give it a try and replaced that $15 part. Been monitoring for oil leaks the last couple of days and nothing! No more drips! Because there was so much oil on and around the power steering pump, I had thought that it or it's fittings were leaking power steering fluid too. Nope, doesn't appear to be the case. So far, it and it's fittings are staying dry too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will keep an eye on things. I be one happy camper.:laugh: I'd do a jig, but I'd probably fall down, then I'd be the one leaking...
), suspension, brakes, everywhere. At stop lights, I'd be protected by a smoke screen (kinda embarrassing). Sometimes I'd lose my power steering because the belt would start slipping. I've used degreaser before, but I guess not enough to clean things well enough to pin-point the leak. I finally just about dunked the entire engine compartment in degreaser and scrubbed as much as I could to get things really clean. Drove the car to a buddies shop and put the car on a hoist (bottom of engine was covered again in oil) with the engine running and it looked like it was coming from the oil pressure switch located behind the air conditioner compressor. Tough little bugger to get to, too without removing the compressor. Anyway, decided to give it a try and replaced that $15 part. Been monitoring for oil leaks the last couple of days and nothing! No more drips! Because there was so much oil on and around the power steering pump, I had thought that it or it's fittings were leaking power steering fluid too. Nope, doesn't appear to be the case. So far, it and it's fittings are staying dry too. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will keep an eye on things. I be one happy camper.:laugh: I'd do a jig, but I'd probably fall down, then I'd be the one leaking...