Oil on bottom of engine

brtnstrns · Jan 6, 2010

First off, what in the world was ford thinking in their placement of the oil filter on the 4.6? It just spills oil all over the steering rack, etc when you replace it. Anyway, there is oil all over the underside of my engine and I can't figure out the source of it. Its possible its from oil changes and not getting cleaned up and then getting thrown all over the place by the moving parts but I'm suspicious that its something else. Below are some pics of what it looks like, anyone got any ideas on what to check out? I was thinking perhaps its transmission fluid because its on the bottom of the transmission as well, but I don't know how to check the transmission fluid level on this car. As far as I know the engine does not leak motor oil, at least not at any concerning speed. I've noticed oil drops on the ground from my car but I'm not sure if thats just from the residual oil all over the bottom or if its actually leaking from somewhere.

Pictures:
Steering rack oil pan and frame:

Transmission/Crossmember:

Transmission/Cats

Mustang_Driver · Jan 6, 2010

I can't see it being transmission fluid as it wouldn't be on the rack crossmember, but it looks like the front seal and or possible the rack is leaking fluid i do my own oil changes and never get that much residue left over. and with oil on the ground means it is leaking from somewhere just the color of oil could help out trans oil = red motor oil = clear/black p/s = red or at least it used to but i would locate where the oil is coming into contact with the heatshield on the cats as it is a potential fire hazard *IMHO*

brtnstrns · Jan 6, 2010

I didn't think about that, I'm guessing I should attempt to clean as much of that off as possible?

97Snakey · Jan 6, 2010

that would be smart, also after doing that check the oil filter to make sure its sealed up, also the cam cover and oil pan gaskets as possible areas to leak. If the car has underdrive pulleys check around the crank pulley. I don't think its your power steering because after leaking that much it would begin to whine during turning and braking. And for future reference to check the tranny fluid on a manual trans, there is a plug on the side of the trans that you screw out and you just stick your finger in it. If it comes out dry it needs fluid.

brtnstrns · Jan 6, 2010

Awesome, thanks snakey thats good to know. So should I just let the car sit for a while and cool down and then just wipe up as much as possible and see where the source might be?

wmburns · Jan 8, 2010

What I do is get some cans of the heavy duty de-greaser sold in auto parts stores. The kind that "sticks" works better for cleaning from underneath.

Spray lots of it on and let soak a few minutes. I find it a headach laying on the ground upside down with a garden hose (is it cold where you are?). Hence the reason I try to spray/cover as much as possible and work from the back to the front.

Look at all the oil running down the side of the pan. It either leaking from the oil filter, front crank snout, or oil pan gasket. The leak will be easy to spot after a good cleaning.

bullitt 736 · Jan 10, 2010

^^^^^ Looks to be that area for sure. I've seen a few oil filter adapters that cracked.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 10, 2010

Typically, after oil changes, i get a can of that GUNK engine degreaser and spray down the entire underside of the engine. I let it sit 10-15 mins and then hose it off and it does a good job of taking off most of it without any scrubbing.

I'd clean that all up and then do periodic checks and see where it's coming from. It kinda looks like your rack is leaking...or the filter is pissing oil out.

Are you low on engine oil or power steering fluid?

brtnstrns · Jan 10, 2010

I haven't checked the power steering fluid but as far as I know its not going low, but I will check it. And if the engine is leaking oil (which is pretty obvious), its not doing it very fast at all. I periodically checked my oil before my change a few days ago and it never got below the 'max' line. But it could just be leaking very slowly.

DJ Fury · Jan 11, 2010

I had this exact problem a few days ago. Noticed alot of oil in the EXACT spots you have. Crawled under there and found it was coming from the oil filter. I cleaned it all up, replaced the oil filter gasket and tightened it back down. Good to go. 10 dollar fix.

Kilgore Trout · Jan 11, 2010

It could also be the dreaded doubled up oil filter gaskets. This happens when the gasket from the old filter sticks to the engine and then you screw the new filter on and have two gaskets which creates a significant leak.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 11, 2010

I've done that before. Poured 5 quarts of oil all over the driveway on startup

Fun times.

Kilgore Trout · Jan 11, 2010

Yeah I know what you are trying to say Mike, that it would be a fast leak and not a relatively slow one like the OP has. But you never know...

stangGT97 · Jan 11, 2010

Kilgore Trout said:
It could also be the dreaded doubled up oil filter gaskets. This happens when the gasket from the old filter sticks to the engine and then you screw the new filter on and have two gaskets which creates a significant leak.

I was thinking that as well - in past my past experiences, Fram filter gaskets were most prone to seizing to the engine, leading to a nice oil spray effect at start up. It is also possible that it is just a ton of buildup from a careless previous owner or terrible shop. Degrease the area and then observe further seepage.

brtnstrns · Jan 13, 2010

Alright well I'm gonna clean it up next time I go over to my parents house (I don't have a garage). And now that its been mentioned about the oil filter being the cause, when I removed it, it was really easy to loosen with just my hand so maybe it just hasn't been on tight and has been spewing oil around. I guess I'll find out in a few days.

DJ Fury · Jan 14, 2010

Should definitely not be able to loosen it with your hand. Especially not with the wrench-on K&N kind like I use.

Kilgore Trout · Jan 14, 2010

What? I always use my hand to install and remove the filter. You should not be able to EASILY loosen it with your hand but you should be able to loosen it with your hand.

68stang351 · Jan 14, 2010

If you have a problem when you change the filter try this next time, to keep from getting oil all over the place. This is how I do it without making a mess.

First I take a plastic bag like a wal mart bag or something similar and lay it out over the k member and steering rack, under the filter. Then I wedge a big mouthed funnel under the filter, the one I have stays in place without having to hold it. Then when I loosen the filter all the oil is caught by the funnel and ends up in the bag. Then when I have the filter out and drained into my drain pan, I take out the bag with some oil in it and put my old filter in it and stuff it in the box for the new filter and it's ready for disposal.

patman0911 · Jan 14, 2010

Yeah, you shouldn't be using any tool to put on an oil filter - lube the gasket with some clean oil on a finger and screw it down as tight as you can with one hand and that should be plenty. It should come off with just a little bit of effort next time - a rag should give you enough grip to crack it loose if it doesn't have a textured grip on it (which is the greatest invention ever in the history of oil filters).

68stang351 said:
If you have a problem when you change the filter try this next time, to keep from getting oil all over the place. This is how I do it without making a mess.

First I take a plastic bag like a wal mart bag or something similar and lay it out over the k member and steering rack, under the filter. Then I wedge a big mouthed funnel under the filter, the one I have stays in place without having to hold it. Then when I loosen the filter all the oil is caught by the funnel and ends up in the bag. Then when I have the filter out and drained into my drain pan, I take out the bag with some oil in it and put my old filter in it and stuff it in the box for the new filter and it's ready for disposal.

Hey, that's not bad - probably more environmentally friendly than my method of spray the **** out of everything with engine degreaser after I'm through

One of these days I may just grab one of those relocaters and be done with it.

Kilgore Trout · Jan 14, 2010

68stang351 said:
If you have a problem when you change the filter try this next time, to keep from getting oil all over the place. This is how I do it without making a mess.

First I take a plastic bag like a wal mart bag or something similar and lay it out over the k member and steering rack, under the filter. Then I wedge a big mouthed funnel under the filter, the one I have stays in place without having to hold it. Then when I loosen the filter all the oil is caught by the funnel and ends up in the bag. Then when I have the filter out and drained into my drain pan, I take out the bag with some oil in it and put my old filter in it and stuff it in the box for the new filter and it's ready for disposal.

I just mold a sheet of aluminum foil to channel all the oil from the filter area into the drain pan.

Oil on bottom of engine

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