Help me locate my engine leak!

[Ed74]

I recently replaced my:

1. Fuel pump gasket
2. Oil pressure sending unit gasket
3. Oil pan gasket

However, I still have a leak located around my fuel pump and oil filter. I cannot find it for the life of me. All the gaskets I replaced are sealed. I have oil on my fuel filter and dripping from my fuel pump after driving (not at idle). I figure the increased oil pressure is causing a minor leak. I also re-tightened my oil filter. After closer inspection, I noticed a clean area at the base of my oil filter. I wonder if this is the site of the leak. Is there any other place I may have overlooked? I hope I do not have to replace my filter. If so, then I will have wasted $15.00 worth of oil again since I had to replace my oil pan gasket twice!

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Skiddy]

could be fuel pump gasket, also make sure you don't have double gaskets on the oil filter don't ask how I know:-[

 

[jpalmer]

Double gaskets = BIG MESS

 

[thegreatjustino]

Front of your valve cover?

 

[Hoppy]

mine was timming chain cover to block gasket

 

[Viperwolf1]

It could also be leaking from the fuel pump itself. There is a little vent hole in the side that will leak oil if the internal seal is bad. There's also the oil pressure sender extension that screws into the block. If you just replace the filter you'll only lose 1 qt of oil.

 

[904Bronco]

Oil sending unit could be bad, leaking... Extension tube for oil sending unit could be leaking at threads or cracked. You would onnly see the leak during above idle rpms. Fuel pump has a weep hole, could be leaking there...

 

[Ed74]

Thanks guys,

I replaced my valve cover gaskets a year ago. I don't remember seeing a weep hole in my fuel pump when I replaced the gasket. Where exactly is it located? I will double check my oil pressure extension. It seemed tight when I replaced the sending unit, but I will make sure. No double gasket on the oil filter, though I have heard bad stories with people who did.

 

[72Sport]

Be careful with the extension for the sending unit. It doesn't flex, it doesn't bend, it breaks off with the threads left in the block. If it is a stock aluminum extension it just waiting for someone to put a wrench on it with some side torque so it can break off in the block.

If you decide to mess with the extension I would remove the oil filter first and take a 6 point socket and place it over the end of the extension. Support the socket and ratchet with one hand while you try to loosen it. If you don't support it, it will break off with no warning.

Check the gasket surface that contacts the oil filter seal. It may have a scratch in it or very rough machine marks which require some attention. Just did it on mine.

When I was searching for a serp timing cover I noticed one fuel pump that was installed with only one bolt through the gasket. Needless to say it had oil everywhere.

 

[75bronco08]

sounds more like oil filter gasket has nick in it.generaly if the fuel pump leaks out the weep hole its fuel.

 

[Ed74]

That is somewhat good news. A bad fuel pump will be quite a nuisance, especially, since I replaced the seals not two weeks ago. I kept the same oil filter during my multiple attempts at sealing my oil pan gasket. I may have damaged it somehow during the process. I never removed an oil filter without draining the oil. Is this possible without causing a complete mess? I can live with losing 1 qt of oil.

 

[72Sport]

That is somewhat good news. A bad fuel pump will be quite a nuisance, especially, since I replaced the seals not two weeks ago. I kept the same oil filter during my multiple attempts at sealing my oil pan gasket. I may have damaged it somehow during the process. I never removed an oil filter without draining the oil. Is this possible without causing a complete mess? I can live with losing 1 qt of oil.

You can't lose more than a quart. The filter is above the level in the pan.

 

[Ed74]

Sounds good. Thanks 72 Sport. After closer inspection, I found a lot of oil on the lower portion of the oil filter, "filter" side of the fuel pump, and possibly the oil pressure extension. Oil was also sprayed all over the drivers side motor mount, front differential, and track bar. What part (oil filter, extension, fuel pump) can produce high enough pressure to spray oil in large quantities, in a rearward fasion?

Also, can I re-use the oil pressure extension if it is in good condition? Can I simply add more plumber's tape to it and screw it back in or do I have to purchase a new one?

 

[Tito]

Sounds good. Thanks 72 Sport. After closer inspection, I found a lot of oil on the lower portion of the oil filter, "filter" side of the fuel pump, and possibly the oil pressure extension. Oil was also sprayed all over the drivers side motor mount, front differential, and track bar. What part (oil filter, extension, fuel pump) can produce high enough pressure to spray oil in large quantities, in a rearward fasion?

Also, can I re-use the oil pressure extension if it is in good condition? Can I simply add more plumber's tape to it and screw it back in or do I have to purchase a new one?

It should be fine but you can always make a new stronger one with brass nipple and coupler from your local home depot. I just picked up the pieces yesterday for mine since the explorer engine didnt have one and I needed to extend it out for an aftermarket sender.

 

[Viperwolf1]

My mustang motor had a steel extension that looks just like the old aluminum one. Ford really did come up with a better idea between 74 and 89.

 

[72Sport]

Sounds good. Thanks 72 Sport. After closer inspection, I found a lot of oil on the lower portion of the oil filter, "filter" side of the fuel pump, and possibly the oil pressure extension. Oil was also sprayed all over the drivers side motor mount, front differential, and track bar. What part (oil filter, extension, fuel pump) can produce high enough pressure to spray oil in large quantities, in a rearward fasion?

Also, can I re-use the oil pressure extension if it is in good condition? Can I simply add more plumber's tape to it and screw it back in or do I have to purchase a new one?

All that you have mentioned could cause oil to spray all over everything. The gasket for the fuel pump could have slipped out of position during assembly.

Go to one of your local Ecology yards and pick up an extension off of Mustang 1980 on up. Take your filter wrench with you so you have room to work. As Viper says the Mustangs use steel and they are identical in size and shape to stock Bronco.

 

[Ed74]

Great info! Thanks everyone. I will keep you posted

 

[oleguy74]

dont use plumbers tape .if you have electric gauge.tape = bad ground =no ready oil presure.

 

[Ed74]

Thats right..I forgot about that useful fact. Thanks

 

[cgbexec]

Only the oil filter and Oil Pressure sending tube have that much pressure in that area.

I have only seen Fuel Pump leak fuel not oil, but I suppose it is possible.