Bad oil leak that comes and goes

[cbgaloot]

About 2 months ago I saw oil dripping from the right front of the engine. I looked for the leak then but did not find it.


I hadn't leaked again until earlier this week. It was bad enough to leave a trail in a parking lot. It's engine oil because it took 3 quarts to top off.

But it has quit again. Which may be why I was unable to find it when I looked. When it is there it must be spraying because the oil is dripping from the right side frame rail

It's somewhere on the front passenger side of the engine.

Any Ideas what this could be?


It's a 2004 Ford F350 6.0

[cbgaloot]

Wow. No ideas?

I there anything up front with a relief valve?

[Evil Eye]

Drivers side or passenger side? The terms "left and right" become confusing. Also, do you see any evidence on the engine itself like where the oil came from? 3 quarts is a massive oil leak unless it wasn't topped off from the last oil change.

[cbgaloot]

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

Drivers side or passenger side? The terms "left and right" become confusing. Also, do you see any evidence on the engine itself like where the oil came from? 3 quarts is a massive oil leak unless it wasn't topped off from the last oil change.

passenger side.
Toward the front. Don't think it is on the front.

It's landing on the passenger side frame, and all over the passenger side of the engine to pto bottom.

It's getting everywhere, probably thanks to the fan and wind from driving 65 MPH.

Even showing on the rear axle and passenger running boards.

I've been digging through my Chilton's but no mention of anything on that side that engine oil flow through.

[Evil Eye]

Can you see the oil leaking down the engine block? That seems too significant to not notice. You might consider having some UV liquid added to the oil to see where it is leaking from. Maybe you can take a few pics to help us see where you are indicating. I can't think of a single thing that would have engine oil in that area. <EDIT, your ICP sensor is on your passenger side valve cover. Check to see if it might be loose.>

There are a BUNCH of stuff in the engine valley, though. Oil filter, turbo feed line, turbo drain line.

[cbgaloot]

No sign of oil in the engine valley. Only on the side of the engine.

The big problem is it comes and goes. Right now it isn't leaking. When it leaks it must be almost a spray. Because it leaks a lot in a short time then quits.


I just got through washing and degreasing the engine. In the hope that it will be easier to see the leak source.

I'll try to get pics when it leaks again.

[PowerstrokeTech82787]

Heres what you do. Go buy some engine oil dye. We get shot glass bottles. 1 bottle wont be enough i dump 2 in. Turns the oil a redish tint. And becomes easier to see with the uv light. Dump those 2 bottles in AFTER youve brake cleaned everything.

Go drive it, it should now be easier to spot. Im going to assume since the only thing on the pass side and is known to leak, Is the glow plug harness. Or valve cover gasket. If its comming from the front of the engine im going to say either front crank seal or pan gasket.

[cbgaloot]

Originally Posted by PowerstrokeTech82787

Heres what you do. Go buy some engine oil dye. We get shot glass bottles. 1 bottle wont be enough i dump 2 in. Turns the oil a redish tint. And becomes easier to see with the uv light. Dump those 2 bottles in AFTER youve brake cleaned everything.

Go drive it, it should now be easier to spot. Im going to assume since the only thing on the pass side and is known to leak, Is the glow plug harness. Or valve cover gasket. If its comming from the front of the engine im going to say either front crank seal or pan gasket.

I never heard of oil dye. Can I get it at Napa? Do I have to change oil after?

I cleaned it real good today. Plan to let it idle tomorrow and see if I can find the source.

I really was hoping somebody would say "Yeah that happens all the time it's the ....."

Oh well.

[PowerstrokeTech82787]

Originally Posted by cbgaloot

I never heard of oil dye. Can I get it at Napa? Do I have to change oil after?

I cleaned it real good today. Plan to let it idle tomorrow and see if I can find the source.

I really was hoping somebody would say "Yeah that happens all the time it's the ....."

Oh well.

Kind of does when it comes to the glow plug harness's leaking oil... But not to that extent where you lose 3 quarts of oil...

[Evil Eye]

Originally Posted by PowerstrokeTech82787

Kind of does when it comes to the glow plug harness's leaking oil... But not to that extent where you lose 3 quarts of oil...

Exactly. The only thing I can think of with that amount of volume that might be intermittent would be the ICP sensor, but if that was loose, I would think it would be fairly obvious.