'00 Oil Leak wasn't solved

[Toivo]

Just did pedestal and turbo o-rings today, and cleaned up all the mating surfaces, still have a rather bad oil leak under the truck, 97% of which is looking like it is running down the left side of the block right around the oil filter area. Oil filter is tight (duh). Valve cover gasket seems like the next logical choice, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Thanks for any replies.

[NTIGUY]

Check your oil cooler, I had to change the gaskets on one about 8 months ago that was doing what your explaining.. Might not be it but its a possibility.

[melmount]

Do all 7.3's have the oil cooler?
Where is it? I never noticed it. BY the oil filter? Whats seals it O-rings to tubes? Is it threaded connections?
Does it just bolt to the block?

[NTIGUY]

Your 2000 model does, your oil filter threads onto it, it goes from the front to the rear of the engine. It has 2 mounting bolts upfront, and 3 in the rear. Also the block heater attaches to it. Now if you do take it off to change the gaskets, dont take the oil cooler apart unless you have a press and new o rings. because without a press they can be hell to put back together.

Here is the procedure right off of ALLDATA, if you plan on taking it off if thats what it happens to be.


1.Drain the radiator.
2.Raise and support the vehicle.
3.Remove the oil filter.
4.Disconnect the block heater.
5.Remove the two bolts from the oil cooler front header.
6.Remove the three bolts from the oil cooler rear header.
7.Remove the oil cooler.
8.Remove the oil cooler front and rear header gaskets from the engine.
9.Clean the gasket mating surface on the engine and the oil cooler.

[melmount]

Are you saying my 01 has one but not the 99?
When did it start?

[NTIGUY]

I know for sure that the 99-03 7.3 has one for sure..

[melmount]

so an early 10/98 has one?

[panheadjay]

my early 99 has one.

[CADASH]

If you can, post up some pictures of your leak.

[Toivo]

That looks as if it could definitely be the culprit. I'll put it on the hoist tomorrow and get a better view, and pull the inner fender liner, I hate working on my back.