Oil leak possible locations?

[Brutis]

I have an oil leak that has shown up on my '90 7.3. I haven't had a lot of time to look into it yet. It is on the drivers side and seems to be running down from a little higher up on the engine but below the valve cover. I replaced valve cover gaskets last spring. Any ideas on common sources of oil leaks on that side?

Thanks!

 

[cm1hedge]

possibly the oil cooler?

 

[argve]

if the leak is coming from below the valve cover gaskets I would also recommend the oil cooler.

 

[hesutton]

Another oil cooler vote

Heath

 

[leftcoastjeff]

I'd agree, I recently rebuilt my oil cooler, after seeing the (stock) rock hard orings, I wonder why they sealed at all!

Good luck, the oil cooler job is a PITA, IMHO,
Check this thread before you..............
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33474

LCjeff

 

[Brutis]

Thanks to all. I'll check the oil cooler.

 

[Fullsize4life]

just had this done NOT cheap but worth the money to have it done. Mine was 350 with a new to me cooler and all the labor.

 

[leftcoastjeff]

just had this done NOT cheap but worth the money to have it done. Mine was 350 with a new to me cooler and all the labor.

Having just done the oilcooler, $350. sounds very reasonable, though I'm too cheap/poor to not give it a go myself.

Good luck,

LCjeff

 

[RLDSL]

If you want to know where the leak is coming from for sure, you can get UV dye from NAPA or snap on that goes in the oil that works the same as the kind used for air conditioning systems for finding leaks ( takes 2 little bottles for an engine this size) you will need the UV light and glasses to see the trail , you can get those at any parts store pretty cheap ( although stronger UV lights are handier). The leak will leave a bright yellow glowing trail directly to the point of the leak eliminating ALL guess work

 

[fx4wannabe]

Can you use that dye in the fuel too? I have a fuel leak that is driving me nuts. I am starting to suspect the IP but can't tell for sure.

 

[RLDSL]

Can you use that dye in the fuel too? I have a fuel leak that is driving me nuts. I am starting to suspect the IP but can't tell for sure.

They do make a dye that works in fuel. Snap on has it as a combination oil fuel atf dye , not sure how Napa sells it.