1997 Mark VIII engine oil leaks

J

jerrygriffin

Registered
This blasted thing is nickel and diming me to death. Had the oil changed today, and the service guy said it was leaking oil at the rear main seal and pan gasket. Anyone else had this problem? Big cost to fix - said the motor and tranny had to be pulled.!!!!
 
RE: 1997 Mark VIII engine oil leaks

From the manual...

1. Fluid leaking by the pump gasket lip will tend to move along the impeller hub and onto the back of the impeller housing. Except in the case of a total seal failure, fluid leakage by the lip of the pump gasket will be deposited on the inside of the torque converter housing only, near the outside diameter of the housing.

2. Fluid leakage by the outside diameter of the pump gasket and front pump body will follow the same path which the leaks by the front pump seal follow.

3. Fluid that leaks by a front pump-to-case bolt will be deposited on the inside of the torque converter housing only. Fluid will not be deposited on the back of the torque converter (7902).

4. Fluid leakage from the converter drain plugs or converter-to-flywheel stud weld will appear at the outside diameter of the torque converter on the back face of the flywheel (6375), and in the converter housing only near the flywheel. Fluid leaks from the torque converter will leave a ring of fluid around the inside of the torque converter housing.

5. Note: A clean lint-free cloth may aid in determining the color (transmission fluid is red) and source of the leaking fluid.

Engine oil leaks are sometimes improperly diagnosed as transmission pump gasket leaks. The following areas of possible leakage should also be checked to determine if engine oil leakage is causing the concern.

a. Leakage at the valve cover gasket (6584) may allow oil to flow over the torque converter housing or seep down between the torque converter housing and cylinder block (6010) causing oil to be present in or at the bottom of the torque converter housing.

b. Oil galley plug leaks will allow oil to flow down the rear face of the cylinder block to the bottom of the torque converter housing.

c. Leakage at the crankshaft rear oil seal (6701) will work back to the flywheel, and then into the torque converter housing.

d. Leakage at oil pressure sensor (9278).




http://www.lincolnsclub.org/forum/user_files/978.jpg
 
RE: 1997 Mark VIII engine oil leaks

I don't recall rear main or oil pan seal failure to be a problem on these engines especially if it has never been apart. If yours is indeed leaking, you are in the unlucky minority.
I would get a second opinion and even then wouldn't fix it unless its pretty bad......like worse than having to add a quart every 1000-1500 miles. The origin of leaks can be tricky to detect so would want to be absolutely sure of the location before doing anything.
By the time someone tears it apart for such an invasive repair as the rear main, they will likely screw up something else in the process costing you even more.
I'd probably sell the car before paying someone to change a rear main seal unless it is low mileage and in pristine condition.
 
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