I have a 67 mustang and I recently changed the oil and filter and also replaced the gasket, pan, and rear main seal on my 302 since it has had a slight leak for a while and I wanted to finally fix it but it seems I created another problem. I drained a bit less than 5 quarts but when I filled it up, it only took 4.5 quarts before the dipstick shows oil almost at the "max overfill" line which is odd especially since the new pan is the same capacity as the original if not slightly more. I let it idle for a while but the oil level stayed the same. There was no sign of a leak and everything sounded fine so I didnt think much of it. I got in to take it for a short test drive and it reversed out of the garage no problem. I put it in drive and made it about 5 feet before smoke came up from under the hood. Oil was leaking on the driver's side somewhere and it dripped down onto the exhaust header and caught fire. I was able to put it out before it did any damage as far as I can tell but I have no idea as to what the problem is. The entire driver side of the engine bay now has a nice coat of new oil on it and the leak stopped after I shut off the engine so I never saw where it was coming from. My guess is that the breather/filler cap on the driver side valve cover started to purge oil but I thought that only happened when it is severely overfilled. Anyone know what to do? Thanks!
Engine 302 oil leak when in gear but fine at idle
- Thread starter AlexM556
- Start date
I checked the oil filter and its fine, so the old gasket must have come off with the filter. I started it up and looked under the hood and after a few seconds it started smoking so I shut it off. It looks like the leak is coming from the valve cover on the bottom corner closest to the firewall since the smoke appears to be coming from the top of the exhaust header right beneath it. I took off the valve cover to get a better look in this area and sure enough, the corner of the gasket has some oil on it and the rest is dry. At this point Im going to replace the gaskets and see what happens. I will post an update when I get those in and test it.
So I replaced the valve cover gaskets and tested it out. Theres no leak from the valve covers now but theres still another leak somewhere. I started it up and it immediately starts leaking. Give it some gas and it leaks more and starts smoking. Turn it off and the leak stops. Since it appears to be somewhere on the back of the engine on the driver's side somewhere I cant see anything but I did feel around back there and found some oil on the engine just in front of the bell housing and it runs down and drips from the steering linkage/hoses area since thats the lowest spot but that's all I can tell. At this point Im wondering if it's coming from the intake manifold but Im not so sure and I would hate to start pulling more stuff apart without being sure Im on the right track here. Any thoughts? Thanks
Blackhawkxx
Mustang Master
- Mar 3, 2023
- 534
- 520
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If you think it may be coming from the rear of the intake, I would try to clean that area well using brake clean. Make sure it is clean and dry and hit the area with some baby powder, start the car and look.
horse sence
15 Year Member
If you did the oil pan from underneath you may have let the gasket slip if using the 4 piece gssket it could have pulled back just enough to let oil between the cork and rubber gasket. Let it cool ,and maybe wait over night then start it up again and look once more
horse sence
15 Year Member
Did you put the rear seal in the correct way ,if not it will spray oil ,can you see in the bell housing ,if the inside is coated with oil its probably the rear seal . Also did you grease the lip on the rear seal when installed ? If not it may have already burned up ,installing a seal dry will burn it with friction quickly!
I actually went with a felpro one piece gasket on the pan and it appears to be sealing fine. As for the rear main seal, the inside of the bell housing is dry so I think its good there too.
horse sence
15 Year Member
This just came up on face book haha ,I think they are listening !
View: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3250412968681974/?mibextid=CDWPTG
View: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3250412968681974/?mibextid=CDWPTG
DadLife0724
Active Member
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