• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Brought home a 90 5.0 Mustang last night and have a major problem.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Black01Stang
  • Start date Start date Feb 10, 2011

Black01Stang

Founding Member
Jul 25, 2001
224
0
0
43
Virginia
Feb 10, 2011
#1
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #1
Drove the car home 106 miles and had no oil leaks and didn't smoke any. Parked it last night and didn't mess with it again until this morning. Cranked it up this afternoon and noticed a bit of smoke and a rough idle every 10 seconds or so. Pulled the car back and had two large oil spots where the car was parked. Looks to me as if it's leaking from where the head meets the block which would make me think it's the head gasket, but i'm not a mechanic by any means. Anybody have any idea as to WTF happened? Pics below of the aftermath.

This is a picture of the oil spots it left in the driveway, rightmost spot would be the front of the car.


This is passenger side head near the rear. You can see the oil pooled at the bottom.


This is looking from the front of the car towards the back, passenger side.


And this one is a picture from the rear of the engine looking forward on the passenger side.
 

BlackGT89

Member
Dec 16, 2002
774
8
18
Huntsville, AL
Feb 10, 2011
#2
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #2
It's hard to tell from the pics. Are you sure it's not just the valve cover gaskets ? I can't think any other source of oil leaks on that side of the engine. Check your oil for coolant and check your coolant for oil. Check for bubbles in your coolant while it's running (don't get burnt with coolant !). If you suspect a head gasket get a leak down test run on it.

Pretty good related thread here on oil leaks: http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/831184-common-5-0-oil-leaks.html
 
O

oldfox

Member
Feb 19, 2009
234
6
18
Feb 10, 2011
#3
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #3
Well from the pictures it looks like the back of the oil pan is dry so at least it's not a rear main.
I bet it's just a valve cover.
 

Black01Stang

Founding Member
Jul 25, 2001
224
0
0
43
Virginia
Feb 10, 2011
#4
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #4
My wife has done a bit of research and has advised me that she found some stuff that looked like my problem. Something to do with the PCV valve being clogged, and just having a bad valvecover gasket. My wife said it was coming from the valve covers before I took the pictures, and after I went back outside to look i'm inclined to agree.
 

joshwfl

Member
Jan 31, 2010
111
0
16
Feb 10, 2011
#5
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #5
oldfox said:
at least it's not a rear main.
I bet it's just a valve cover.
Click to expand...
X2, even if it's not that's a good place to start. Quick job and you're done hopefully.
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
Feb 10, 2011
#6
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #6
leodown1 said:
During the first sf asian escort century the Romans came and ruled Britain,named for sf asian escorts their god dess of fruits and gardens.It was celebrated around the 1st of November and sf escort the Roman Pomona Day mixed becoming one sf escorts important autumn holiday.
Click to expand...

Um wtf?
 

No.11

10 Year Member
Oct 13, 2009
614
10
48
Los Angeles
Feb 10, 2011
#7
  • Feb 10, 2011
  • #7
could someone get rid of this Leo character? ban? all 9 of his posts so far have been nonsense just like this, always with some website about Asians.
 

Black01Stang

Founding Member
Jul 25, 2001
224
0
0
43
Virginia
Feb 11, 2011
#8
  • Feb 11, 2011
  • #8
Well I just got finished changing out the valve cover gasket. The bolts holding the valve cover on weren't tight at all, to the point where I could just about turn them by hand. I'm pretty certain that will take care of the leak.

Now on to the engine surging, could this have been caused by a bad seal from the valve cover to the head? Someone someone had mentioned that a clogged PCV could cause that issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
446
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
O
Sooty/Oily Front Engine & Pulleys
  • ozenator
  • Jun 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
298
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 22, 2026
Blackhawkxx
Came home with a new commuter (that I f'd up on day 2....)
  • LILCBRA
  • Mar 6, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
  • 4 5 6
Replies
105
Views
2K
Other Auto Tech Jun 1, 2026
LILCBRA
2
Electrical mayhem
  • 2000ElectricGreen
  • Mar 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
284
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Mar 24, 2026
2000ElectricGreen
2
S
Drivetrain 8.8 Pinion and 302 rear main seal leaks after replacing. 93 5.0 with t-5
  • Steigy4827
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
679
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 1, 2026
Steigy4827
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?