7.3 IDI mystery oil leak

[john93]

I have a 94 7.3 factory turbo and I recently noticed oil leaking from somewhere under the alternator on the front passenger side of the engine. At first I thought it was the oil cooler, but then I noticed oil was collecting in the valley pan. So maybe it’s a valve cover that got blown out? If anyone has experienced this any advice to what it may be helps. Thanks! MYSTERY SOLVED!!!!! Update - turns out the oil leak is coming from the pedestal valley pan grommet.

 

[Nero]

Oil cooler is on the drivers side
If oil is collecting in the valley pan, my money is on pump shaft O ring, or pump gear housing cover. It is only siliconed on, and after 20+ years im sure its a little... Tired

 

[john93]

That could be it. So there is no gasket just silicone rtv? Have you ever done this job before?

 

[Nero]

I have done a few. You can take the injection pump out, Then you take off the gear cover. If you leave the gear on the engine, it'll keep it in time. It is easy tp bump off though, so you have to be careful!

 

[john93]

Thanks for the help! Seems easy enough, I’ve taken the pump off before so shouldn’t be too complicated.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I'd recommend cleaning the engine up the best that you can and then watch to see where the oil is coming from. There's a small possibility that the drain at the back of the valley pan could be plugged (it happens frequently) and maybe leaking oil or fuel has built up enough to be running down the front side of the engine by the alternator. I don't know how much of a chance there is for that, but I don't think that it's 0% chance.

 

[john93]

I definitely will clean up the engine bay to see where it’s coming from. A few days ago I know it was clean, this was an all of a sudden thing so I don’t think it was built up from the drain plug. But good suggestion it’s worth checking.

 

[Black dawg]

You say below the alt.....look closely at the fuel pump, not uncommon for the bolts to loosen up, and if it has been replaced in the last couple years, very common to leak oil out of the weep hole on the pump.