Oil leak

[Duke583]

Noticed oil spots on my garage floor under my 03 with 51k on it. Car runs fine. Dipstick shows minimum level. What are most common causes? Thanks!
Earl

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

A/C working ok, sometimes that is what you see on the floor from the compressor.

[carnut]

Agreed on the A/C. Check to see where it is coming from... A/C will leak on drivers side near front wheel. A/C oil is a yellowish colour (at least mine was).

[Duke583]

Thanks Guys. Unfortunately this is the real deal: oil. It can be seen not only on the floor, but on the underside of the body area under the engine. There is actually a small puddle of the black oil on the floor, so it is easy to tell it is not A/C leakage.
Thinking maybe a gasket of some kind. Wondering if this has been a problem with our cars with 50k + on them? Plan to take it to my mechanic this week. Just looking for feedback from the group. Thanks!

[2K2BIRD]

Two most likely culprits are the oil pan gasket and the gasket between the block and the oil filter neck. My recently fixed leak was the latter. It may only have 51K, but it also has 15 years.

[Duke583]

Thanks.
Actually it is almost 16 years old. Can you give me an idea of the cost to replace these gaskets?
The good news is that it is due in for an oil change. Seems like once it is up on the lift it would be easy to find either of those leaks (?)

[yelobird2002]

Valve Cover Gaskets have been found to be leaking on several.

[428PI]

I replaced the oil pan gasket thinking that was it and it didn't fix it (took 300 miles for leaks to reappear). Tried an oil filter adapter seal which didn't fix it either. Oil would collect on top of the oil filter adapter and could be viewed from on top with a flashlight. Finally had to bite the bullet and replace the front timing cover gasket. I was able to do the job without pulling valve covers. Sometimes the sensors on the oil filter adapter will leak. Check oil filter carefully. If it's a big leak with engine cold I would suspect oil filter adapter seal. I've replaced those on customer's cars before.

[redfire1]

Try this. I have experienced an oil leak from the oil filter. I always change my own oil and STP filter. After about 3000 miles, the filter comes loose or the seal dries.
I was advised by a Ford rep that after market filters are subject to this leak. Now with a new Motorcraft filter, no leak.

[2K2BIRD]

Thanks.
Actually it is almost 16 years old. Can you give me an idea of the cost to replace these gaskets?
The good news is that it is due in for an oil change. Seems like once it is up on the lift it would be easy to find either of those leaks (?)

Seems like it was around $200. They put a die in the oil, had me drive around for about 100 miles so they could see where the leak was coming from when I brought the car in.

Mike had a good point about checking the filter to make sure it is tight. I only use Motorcraft filters and I've hsd one loosen up (or not be tightened well) before as well.

[denk04]

I also have a leak on my wife's 2004. I tried changing oil filter housing seal and oil pan seal. still leaks, must be timing cover gasket. 428 how long did it take to change timing cover gasket and did you have the car on a lift to do the job? Thanks Frank

[steelblue5505]

I'll put my money on the oil filter seal. seems there are not any well made oil filters

[428PI]

denk04, It took me probably a day and a half but I also replaced the water pump, thermostat and housings, and radiator hoses and I broke one bolt in the block at the coolant manifold where I had to drill it out and heli coil it. I had the car on a QuickJack lift so it was between 10-21 inches in the air. The hardest part would be to torque the dampner pulley and I didn't have a way to hold the pulley and my chain wrench was too small if I remember right. I just torqued it to the spec and used my impact wrench to the proper angle setting. It wasn't as bad of job as I thought it could be. The bracket for ac compressor had to come off and that wasn't easy.

[denk04]

Keith, thanks for the prompt reply. one additional question how did your chain tensioners look. My car has 95k miles, and I am thinking of replacing chain guides while I am in there

[428PI]

I just glanced at them. Looked ok as far as I could see. I haven't heard of the 2003 giving any troubles. I believe the earlier Lincoln LS's had some concerns but they were fixed by the time the 03 came around. My car has 126k on it now. I've some of the earlier versions of this go for over 250k miles and I presume it's the later chain designs. Personally, if they look ok I wouldn't do a thing to them.