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I have noticed an oil leak recently, at first I thought it was from the oil pan but I'm not so sure. I can't see very well where it's coming from.

I also should mention that my drain bolt has no gasket, and it hasn't been a problem, in fact not so long ago there was only a slightly moist spot up there somewhere. I plan to get a drain bolt gasket soon though.

Tell me what you guys think.





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holy rusted oilpan batman... I have never seen an oilpan on a contour that rusted... I would say it has to be the pan itself or the gasket between the pan and the engine. Its not HORRIBLE, but I would say replace it ASAP.


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looks to me like it is coming from the pan itself not the seal.

is it dripping onto the ground? if so it is pretty bad I would say.

how is the oil pan rusty like that?


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Yeah I know it really rusty. You can thank cleveland for that, since the car spent nearly 120k miles there.

I don't know where to get one, but I'd like to replace the whole oil pan if I'm gonna change the gasket.
I just hope the leak is from the oil pan, not something else important or hard to fix.

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Originally posted by 98Ford2L:
I also should mention that my drain bolt has no gasket, and it hasn't been a problem, in fact not so long ago there was only a slightly moist spot up there somewhere. I plan to get a drain bolt gasket soon though.





My drain plug (bolt) does not have a gasket or washer and it doesn't leak. Your lower oil pan/gasket needs to be changed (and get a new drain plug/bolt with it).


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So, I don't really feel like changing my oil pan gasket, but I guess I should? How urgent do you think it is? So far it doesn't leak enough to affect the oil level, so it's not a huge leak.

Should I change the oil pan as well, or just clean in up when I have it off? Thanks

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There is a really good chance that the oil pan rusted through. I've seen this on other cars before, but not on a '98.

The oil leak is defnatly from the pan and not above. You will have to change the pan. You can just get a good used one and a new gasket.


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Originally posted by 98Ford2L:
So, I don't really feel like changing my oil pan gasket, but I guess I should? How urgent do you think it is? So far it doesn't leak enough to affect the oil level, so it's not a huge leak.

Should I change the oil pan as well, or just clean in up when I have it off? Thanks





From the pictures, it appears to be in need of attention immediately.

Change all three (pan, gasket, drain plug) or don't change at all. If you are trying to change just the gasket, the rusty pan will probably crack while you are trying to remove the bolts. And you might also need new bolts as it appears that the bolts are bad too.

Edit. On closer scrutiny, drain plug actually looks salvageable.

Last edited by Tony2005; 08/19/05 02:04 AM.

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Thanks for the fast replies!

I guess I'll get out my manuals (cd and hayne's) and see what I'm gonna be getting into.
This wasn't on my list of things to do, but oh well.
-Peter

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Its a fun job as well. I did mine last June. I was blaming either the oil pump gasket or the front main. Both got replaced, problem solved.

Whats with the steel pan? I have nice aluminum skid marks on my garage floor from where I pulled a Zetec around tonight. The pan in my car is also aluminum. Was it a 98+ thing?


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