Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 88turbo on April 22, 2006, 06:17:33 PM

Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 22, 2006, 06:17:33 PM
ok so I dont know how this happened but I have a massive oil leak coming from the top rear of the engine.  I have changed the valve cover gasket and the head gasket was changed at the end of last october.  could it be the oil feed line?  it seems to be pumping oil down the drivers side rear of the engine block and down the top of the bell housing.  I could really use some help here its leaking about 5 quarts in 2-3 days of town driving.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: DakotaEpic on April 22, 2006, 07:05:43 PM
Rear Main Seal?  Or is that bottom end?  I've come up with another new accronym for Ford.  Fresh Oil Rapidly Drains.  I have a bad leak too.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 22, 2006, 10:32:49 PM
its coming from the top of the engine in the rear of the cylinderhead or somewhere in that area I cant see exactly where the oil is coming from but it seems as though its pumping the oil out when the engine is running
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Red_LX on April 22, 2006, 10:58:04 PM
Sounds to me like you've got a leak coming from the oil pressure sending unit/oil feed line. There's a distribution block on the driver's side rear of the cylinder head, with the sending unit on the top and the oil feed line coming out of the bottom. I've heard leaks can be common there....check it out.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Ether947 on April 22, 2006, 10:58:17 PM
re-checked your valve cover gasket? could be at the oil feed/oil pressure switch tee... maybe a break in your feed line. the oil cooler is "somewhat" in that area too.

curses! you beat me to it, Red_LX. lol.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 22, 2006, 11:09:55 PM
I'll see what I can find tomorrow and I'll let you know :D
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Evil86Saleen on April 22, 2006, 11:49:12 PM
Dipstick? I had one pop on me in the SVO and spew oil in the exact same spot. I was looking for the leak one day and had my head stuck down in that corner and just happend to touch the dipstick and noticed that it had popped out.

I had a clogged PCV and everytime the car saw boost it would pop the dipstick out of the tube and then leak oil down the back of the block.

that was anoying as all hell.

kyle
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 23, 2006, 12:05:59 AM
its not the dipstick, that was one of the first things I checked.  its coming from the top of the engine and running down the block.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: P71 on April 23, 2006, 12:32:30 AM
Bling bling bling bling! If it's really losing that mush oil, your turbo feed line has a pinhole! The VC breather, distribution block, and feed line all leak like SOB's. The oil cooler doesn't (it's what the oil filter screws onto).
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 23, 2006, 02:14:47 AM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports
Bling bling bling bling! If it's really losing that mush oil, your turbo feed line has a pinhole! The VC breather, distribution block, and feed line all leak like SOB's. The oil cooler doesn't (it's what the oil filter screws onto).


I have been meaning to replace the feedline with a braided steel line.  how do I go about ordering a kit from your website (aerobirdmotorsports)?
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: ipsd on April 23, 2006, 08:01:29 AM
I know you replaced the VC gasket but what one did you use and how much boost are you running. If you used the cork gasket they seem to be a POS and fail alot. Also check the tightness of the Vc bolt they tend to lossen rather quickly on a daliy driver. I make sure to use some threadlocker on my Vc bolts.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Chuck W on April 23, 2006, 11:21:53 AM
It's most likely the turbo feed line as mentioned if it's actually "pumping" oil while running...
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Red_LX on April 23, 2006, 12:43:10 PM
The factory feed lines don't really get pinholes, they just crack, usually on the ferrules at either end. That happened on my old engine, the ferrule cracked where it went into the turbo.

Ran a braided line on my new engine so I won't have to worry about that...
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: P71 on April 23, 2006, 01:03:52 PM
Crack, pinhole, broken, whatever, it still stranded my ass in the Circus Circus parking lot in Reno during my Christmas break! I made a new one (that dribbled) that got me home. I still have that line...

But there's MaxPSI Oil feed lines in ALL my running TC's now ;)
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 23, 2006, 05:32:42 PM
Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports
But there's MaxPSI Oil feed lines in ALL my running TC's now ;)


Quote from: 88turbo
I have been meaning to replace the feedline with a braided steel line. how do I go about ordering a kit from your website (aerobirdmotorsports)?


??
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Ether947 on April 25, 2006, 07:28:47 PM
i believe you have to email him your order, 88turbo. at least until he gets an eCommerce store up. =P

i got a MaxPSI line too, nice piece.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on April 25, 2006, 09:09:17 PM
how hard are these to install?  I PMed him and sent him a money order with a picture of the part :D
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Ether947 on April 27, 2006, 07:35:07 AM
mine was pretty easy since i already had the intake off. replaced the oil pressure sender with the intake and everything connected and it's possible... not so fun but possible. be prepared to take the upper off. everything else is a breeze.
Title: *update*
Post by: 88turbo on May 09, 2006, 09:41:57 PM
oil leak is fixed!  was the factory feed line like mentioned above, had a crack in the loop next to the junction block.  thanks to all that helped.
Title: Same Thing
Post by: bodan316 on November 24, 2012, 03:32:56 PM
I just bought an 88 Turbo Coupe. I have a major leak coming from the same area. My question is, I am having a hard time finding where the oil line runs to. I pulled of the upper portion of the intake and am feeling around on the oil cooler and cant find it. Is there any diagrams available online for free. I am really trying to get this done soon and without a haynes manual itis proving difficult.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on November 24, 2012, 03:36:44 PM
there is a block that is screwed into the rear of the head on the drivers side, the oil pressure sensor is also in the block and the oil feed line as well.  there really are no diagrams but I might have a picture that I can use to show you what I'm talking about.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: Beau on November 24, 2012, 05:43:27 PM
6 and a half year gap in threads, and they still serve as help for new folks. God I love this place.
Carry on as needed. :)
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: TOM Renzo on November 24, 2012, 06:21:18 PM
OK the oil feed line is made of stainless and it has a nasty habit of cracking. Normally at the inverted 45* or at the sharp bend off the adapter or at the turbo. THE FLARED ENDS CRACK  . Make a new line and you are dun!!
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: 88turbo on November 25, 2012, 12:08:15 AM
I do have a good stock feed line if you need it. Just let me know.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: bodan316 on November 25, 2012, 11:41:30 AM
Alright I am pretty sure it is not the oil feed line. I have narrowed it down to the area right under the intake manifold. I am going to pull off the complete intake tomorrow and hopefully find something. I will keep you all updated on what I find. Thanks for the help.
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: bodan316 on December 02, 2012, 08:14:09 PM
Turns out it was the oil cooler. Antique thing that sets in between the oil filter and the block. The seal on the backside of the oil cooler is a rubber gasket that cannot be replaced with just an o-ring. After a couple of days searching for a replacement I had to turn to an aftermarket oil cooler. I thought about just deleting it but decided it must be there for a reason. The change from water exchange and to air exchange took a little modifying to ensure not to mess up the flow of water. But after a forking out a Benjamin and a few hours fumbling around under the car the oil leak was gone.  Next up is aftermarket injectors. Any suggestions?
Title: 2.3 oil leak
Post by: TOM Renzo on December 02, 2012, 09:41:34 PM
You should have chucked the cooler and do my fan mod. I never use those coolers as they SUCK and do nothing. And always use synthetic oils. Those cooler seals are available you should have asked. But once again throw that cooler/warmer out and no need for a cooler. Been running without one for years!!


Just curious what did you install in place of it!!!! I have them and the seals. I save the cooler /warmer for the purest guys. Use an FL1 Filter cnd call it a day. No need for the cooler as i explained. Thanks

The change from water exchange and to air exchange took a little modifying to ensure not to mess up the flow of water. ??????????????????? What did you do to make an oil cooler???????? Photo would be nice!!!! Just curious!!!