94 MK Viii Oil Leak

H

Halfshaft

Registered
Well, at 170,000 miles I have my first oil leak. I initially thought it was the Oil filter gasket. Nope. I would believe from my searches that it is the Adapter gasket. The leak does not run down the filter itself, filter case is clean.

There always seems to be a trick with the Marks, is there any for getting to the gasket? Does the adapter just bolt to the block?

Any details would be helpfull, it is leaking like crazy, 4-5 inch puddle right after startup. It appears to be dripping from behind the adapter, i dont think it is the dipstick tube judging by the amount.

Thanks, Halfshaft
 
Do a search for "oil filter adaptor" and you will find what you want. Remember, it is not just oil but coolant also. I hear one of the bolts can be a nightmare.
 
Merkurmadness started a post regarding this on the 15th. Should have looked a little harder, sorry, won't do it again. I have the same issue, oil pours out at startup but the office parking space - no oil spot.

I have a gravel driveway so I never noticed, I parked at the inlaws house sitting and in the moring, started it up and poured oil all over the place.

I will pick up the gasket and extesions and get to work.

Thanks, Halfshaft
 
Yeah, you gotta drain the coolant as well as the oil.

Just remember: Take your time and do not rush. Rushing the job = cross threads in an aluminum block.
 
I know this one is a pain, I had it on my 96. Went and got the gasket, tried to put it in, but I couldnt get the "nightmare" bolt off so I ended up putting it all back together because I needed the car that night...
 
BlackMark8 said:
I know this one is a pain, I had it on my 96. Went and got the gasket, tried to put it in, but I couldnt get the "nightmare" bolt off so I ended up putting it all back together because I needed the car that night...
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's about a 7 on the PITA meter.
 
Sounds almost as bad as chaging the auto trans valve body on a taurus with the trans still in the car. Got that procedure down to an hour and 30 minutes. Beer and smoke breaks included.

I will take pictures when I do it, over Christmas, I will let everyone know when I am done.

The next issue is a horrible chattering squeak when turning the steering wheel, like a squeaky door. Began Shortly after I chaged front end bushings and all the other front end wear parts. Greased everything well but no change.

I was ready to play find the squeak when the game changed to find the leak.

Thanks for the help. :)

Halfshaft
 
Thanks for the suggestion. The squeak is strange and I haven't had a chance to have someone in the car while I am out with the stethascope. It mainly occurs while the wheel is being turned 1/4 -1/2 turn. It also seems to be at slower speeds. Power steering flud is fine and pump makes no noises which are unusual.

Here is where the belt issue is ruled out. Turn the mark off and ever so slightly while the air susp. is kneeling, you can hear the squeak, quieter but the same one. It will not squeak if the front end is pushed down to flex the susp.

I think the only way to find it is have a helper turn the wheel and start listening carefully. I hope it isnt the new bushings, poly, just had it aligned. For some reason I think it is.

We shall see.

Halfshaft
 
did you lube the bushings before installing them? I had the same prob. with my merkur I found that regular grease lasted about a month of rainy weather. I ended up useing a marine grease called aqua-lube (teal blue color not the red) its been in there for five years and not a peep from them!!. also heard about some bushings that are graphite impregnated that don't sqeek either!
 
Usually the "barn door type squeak" is cause by the lower ball joints, but you said you replaced all the wear items.

The next most common culprit of a squeak as you describe is the rack and pinion boots/bellows that cover the inner tie rod end. if you dont get them orientated "just so" they can and will squeak when they rub against the lower engine cradle/Kmember.

My 95 did this, I shot the boots with a small shot of WD 40 and the squeak stopped.. so I moved the boots around so they wouldn't contact the K member and the squeak never returned.

Hope this helps
 
Yep, lowers are new, I will check the rack bellows and see if they are the issue. I did grease the bushings, with the poly lube stuff, i started to run out towards the end so maybe I didn't get enough on the Pass radius arm.

Admitedly after I changed all the old parts I have come to know that the next issue is not far off. I did enjoy the 2-3 weeks of luxury driving comfort I remember when it was new, so much for that.

Halfshaft
 
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