Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Engine oil leak.Help!!

Well, I discovered a new problem with my car today. I have some engine oil seeping out at the crank area of the pan on my 2.5L. THe problem is, I cannot discern if its coming from the oil pan gasket, or the crank pulley seal. I'm running a search as I type this, but I wanted people's experiences/ insight to this firsthand. Plus, I have to get the parts for tomorrow for the weekend...

So, anyone have any ideas? Pan, or crank seal?
BTW, this happened really suddenly. It wasn't leaking a month ago when I changed my oil...Wierd.

I would guess it's the oil pan. Mine seeps in the same area.
At first I thought it was the crank seal, but it wasn't.
I replaced it anyway when adding the DMD for good measure. (Like $3 maybe)

I do not show any loss of oil on the dip stick and there is no real oil on the outside, just a damp look down the front (crank side) of the pan.

Mine has done it almost since I bought it... :rolleyes: I blame the Mobil 1, but I'm not about the stop using it...

Same here, I wouldn't worry, $10 says it's the oil pan seal.

Valvoline MaxLife fixed the leak in two oil changes. Went from 3-5 drops per night to absolutely nothing now. Swells the seals.

I blame Mobil 1 as well. I stopped using it.

John

I have seen several that do not leak at all. Oil spilled from changing the oil filter can travel along the pan to crankcase seam and look like it is a leak, but only spillage. Before doing anything else, clean the area carefully and then see what develops. You should really clean things well anyway to confirm where it is leaking from. If you do have a leak, I'm betting on the oil pan gasket.

Hey Jim, I'm way ahead of you. I washed the area with engine shampoo this afternoon, took it on a road test, and rechecked it after. Not a drop showing.
It was getting home tonight I took a peek with the flashlight, and noticed it was soaked again. Definitely NOT the oil filter. I suspect the oil pan as well, but find it weird how the splash "creeps" up towards the crank.
I always run synthetic oil, but my last oil change last month was with Mobil 1 for the first time in awhile. Coincidence? Hmm..?

I don't think it is. I put in Mobil 1 after 50k miles of dino oil, and I had a leak 100 miles.

John

I'm concerned with this exact problem on my engine right now. I've been using Mobil 1 for about 26k so far, and now I'm H to L on the stick every 1500 miles. I think mine is coming from above the oil pan cause I looked down with a flashlight and saw it coming from the crank. Although its also possible the oil traveled upward somehow through the dust. It doesn't really leak when the car is in the garage though, I think it squeezes out the most when I'm on the road pushing it. I'm going to try that Valvoline Maxlife and see if that helps seal her up.

What am I missing about Mobil 1? This is the fist negatve thing I've heard about Mobil 1. I'm running it no problem (so far).

Since Mobil 1 is synthetic and thinner than most oils, it usually finds its way through the seals easier than most normal oils over time as the seals would normally need to be refreshed over the maintenance intervals. I think the design of the engine plays a part on the leaks. My Mazda MX6 turbo had mobil 1 from 5k to 205k when i sold it and she only leaked out of the valve cover gasket. Wouldn't expect anything less from Ford than leaking out of the bottom of the engine! My V6 is at 93k now. I just consider it a small price to pay for keeping the inside of the engine like new.

Is it me or does our engines just have too many oil related problems?