Leaks oil only when cold???

[f2fiddy]

I have a friend who wanted me to ask you guys for some help identifying an oil leak with his truck. Now, I havent seen this for myself, however he explained he came out to his truck a couple of mornings ago...20 or so degrees...fired it up, and started leaking oil from the front of the engine. Could this be a HPOP or LPOP? Im not too familiar with the 7.3's, but do know they have the oil fed injectors. He says it only leaks when the truck is cold. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Josh

[firefighter317]

could be LPOP. its on the front and while the engine is cold, seals will be tight, and when they warm up, they will expand, causing a better seal, sometimes eliminating the leak.

[captivahach]

mine is doing the same was looking and just found oil cooler was leaking stops soon as it gets warm

[c69ss396]

Originally Posted by captivahach

mine is doing the same was looking and just found oil cooler was leaking stops soon as it gets warm

Mine is doing the same, I don't feel like fixing it but my guess is it will only get worse.

[captivahach]

Originally Posted by c69ss396

Mine is doing the same, I don't feel like fixing it but my guess is it will only get worse.

Yea im off work but have a job interview 675 miles away so may try to fix it before then. Ofcourse my truck isnt going on the trip anyways

[Jleof250]

I have the same problem in the oil cooler. Does any one know how to?

[OverkillMotorsports]

Your oil cooler needs new o-rings as the old ones don't seal when cold. Get new ones (4 total) from Ford and install them when you have half a day as its kinda messy to do. It could be done faster, but I always clean things when I take them apart.

[Jleof250]

Originally Posted by OverkillMotorsports

Your oil cooler needs new o-rings as the old ones don't seal when cold. Get new ones (4 total) from Ford and install them when you have half a day as its kinda messy to do. It could be done faster, but I always clean things when I take them apart.

I just get the o rings, now I need a how to do it to make my life easy. Thanks

[OverkillMotorsports]

***Not by instructions, but here are some***

First, drain the coolant from the driver's side of the block by removing the block heater element.

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2365.jpg

Here's the removed oil cooler all covered with nasty, baked-on grease.
3 bolts above the oil filter and 2 bolts into the front cover.

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2366.jpg

Next, I use a rubber dead blow mallet to remove the end caps. They usually fall right off since the seals are hard and brittle.

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2367.jpg

Here is the oil cooler after cleaning. I usually don't try to clean out the core passages since the oil side is full of fins that can collect dirt and grease....then end up in the engine lubrication system. Just clean the exterior of the core to reduce the chance of damage. The center of the core contains the coolant passages.
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2370.jpg

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2368.jpg

I use trans-gel or vasoline to lubricate the o-rings for reassembly. Here is some white grease to show in detail where I lubricate. Don't forget to lubricate the inner chamfer for the coolant o-ring.

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2369.jpg
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2371.jpg

Here is how I press the end caps back on the core. The core will eventually slide into the end caps. No laughing at my bald spot or gray hairs.
Also note the locating tab on the rear end cap.

http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2372.jpg
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2373.jpg
http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN2374.jpg

Good luck with the installation of your completed oil cooler reseal. Don't forget to remove the old gaskets and clean the block mating surfaces before torquing the attachment bolts to 18 ft.lbs.

[OverkillMotorsports]

FYI... I never took the front end of the oil cooler off the block to do mine as I didn't see a point in doing so since my gasket wasn't leaking there. You will need a rear oil cooler to block gasket, which I failed to mention along with the 4 o-rings.