Trying to find my oil leak

[KDRacing]

Hey guys, im kinda new to the diesel scene, i have played with gas motors for years but never diesels. I just recently picked up a 2003 7.3 6speed.. I noticed that i have a oil leak under the hood (there is a puddle forming in the valley of the engine), after some searching around i found that the HPOP o rings are a common issue on these trucks so i went and double checked mine.. dirty, but dry as a bone.. It seems like it is coming from a hard line located right under the turbo (pass side) which seems to go into the head. I tried to follow that line to see where it goes, im assuming back to the HPOP, but i lost it in the mess of wires and line. im considering removing the intercooler hose to get a better look. Anyone have this issue before? I found a write up for replacing the HPOP o rings by the pump but nothing for the ones by the head. can this be done with the turbo in place?? doesnt seem like theres alot of room back there and its a hard line. any help would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you in advance!!

[KDRacing]

also i read via search that the Crank case vent could be allowing oil into the intake boot and leaking? my air filter does have a small amount of oil on it

[ToMang07]

Originally Posted by KDRacing

also i read via search that the Crank case vent could be allowing oil into the intake boot and leaking? my air filter does have a small amount of oil on it

It is VERY doubtful that you are seeing oil from the CCV in your valley. Most likely it's the turbo pedestal or one of the HPO lines leaking. You're gonna have to clean it up and find where it's coming from.

[NoRalPh]

First, can you determine if it's actually Oil? Or could it be Fuel?

There is a clip at the back of the pass head that holds a hardline that is commonly rubbed thru (it carries Fuel). Under the turbo there's a couple of O-Rings that go to the turbo pedestal that also commonly leak.

Here's an interesting video, BUT I have to warn you about this guy,,,, he makes Great Videos, that Does NOT make him infallible though. He's got some really GOOFY

theories (not about this though) So, don't take him as your Guru, as many do Confirm his advice on anything else he says

POWERSTROKEHELP.COM - The Information Source for Ford Power Stroke Diesel Owners

[KDRacing]

well he is definatly interesting to say the least.... seems like he really knows his stuff tho. im pretty sure it's oil, it doesn't smell anything like fuel and seems thicker than fuel. Tomorrow ill clean the motor up and let it run while i watch it, is there any way thats recomended for cleaning the motor? I was kind of hesitant to spraying it down with a de greaser and washing it off.. just from experience i have learned that water can find it's way into spots that it shouldn't be near. also thankyou for the labeled pic! that should be very helpful. I was reading something about a ccv mod that NChornet had designed and produced? They had said something about oil collecting in the valley and i was considering giving his mod kit a try since i have oil in the air box anyway.

[KDRacing]

well last night me and a friend spent a while looking at the truck and we think we have narrowed it down to either the turbo pedestal o rings that have gone bad or the EBPV (exhaust back pressure valve) actuator leaking. either way i will end up having to pull the turbo. my question now is am i better off doing the EBPV delete ? or fixing the leak? I have done a little reading around on this and have mixed feelings.. from my understanding i will loose high idle if i delete this, correct? but will gain exhaust flow and never have to worry about a leak from it again. any input would be great, im really not sure which route to go and would like to do something asap.

[ToMang07]

Originally Posted by KDRacing

well last night me and a friend spent a while looking at the truck and we think we have narrowed it down to either the turbo pedestal o rings that have gone bad or the EBPV (exhaust back pressure valve) actuator leaking. either way i will end up having to pull the turbo. my question now is am i better off doing the EBPV delete ? or fixing the leak? I have done a little reading around on this and have mixed feelings.. from my understanding i will loose high idle if i delete this, correct? but will gain exhaust flow and never have to worry about a leak from it again. any input would be great, im really not sure which route to go and would like to do something asap.

You will NOT loose high idle.

IMO: If you do the delete, do it right, and get a non-EBV pedestal. If the doesn't want to spend the $$$, rebuild it, the o-rings arent expensive, Clay @Riffraff and Bob @Dieselorings.com both have them very cheap.

I just deleted mine. I don't miss it.