engine oil leaking from timing cover gasket

[lkatze2]

oil is leaking from my 2014  2.0 hybrid engine timing cover gasket, not the seal..  I am going to tackle the job myself.  Just wondering if anybody has any tips or advice on replacing the gasket?  Has anybody done the job themselves or sent it to the dealer?  Does the cover use a gasket or just silicone?  I did not see the exact gasket on any of the parts stores websites.  Thanks

[2014FordFusionSE]

Never replaced it on this vehicle but I can't imagine it would be any different from other vehicles.

I would get it from a Ford dealer:

https://parts.lakelandford.com/p/Ford_2014_Fusion-SE-Hybrid-Sedan-20L-Atkinson-ELECTRICGAS-CVT-FWD/Engine-Valve-Cover-Gasket/53568480/CV6Z6584A.html

 

[billford]

Don't even think about trying it yourself if you have never done one before. 

You can take it apart, but you won't put it together without special tools and instructions on how to align the crank pulley and camshaft. 

 

 

[Rainbringer]

On 3/9/2022 at 8:51 PM, lkatze2 said:

oil is leaking from my 2014  2.0 hybrid engine timing cover gasket, not the seal..  I am going to tackle the job myself.  Just wondering if anybody has any tips or advice on replacing the gasket?  Has anybody done the job themselves or sent it to the dealer?  Does the cover use a gasket or just silicone?  I did not see the exact gasket on any of the parts stores websites.  Thanks

I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself either, it's a pretty time consuming process. It's better to see a specialist. If it was just a routine oil change, then fine. I've been changing the oil myself on my Dodge Ram 2500 for years and no problems. The best oil for 5.9 Cummins is from Valvoline in my opinion. 

[MeeLee]

Yeah, probably overfilled the oil.

I think the best oil bar none, is Mobil 1, and on second place, it's close clone, amazon basics.

 

I change my oil filter every 2 oil changes, and always use (semi) synthetic 0W20 or 0W16 oil. Runs fabulous!

[Sky14FFH]

I've got this problem too even though it's not heavy.  Going to try AT205 first.  This is really disappointing.  Swapping a timing belt that could fail after 120,000 for a more costly to repair timing cover gasket that fails after 60,000 is not fun.  How did it go?

[lkatze2]

I have not done the job yet, but it is definitely leaking from the front crank cover mating surface. BTW,    MEELEE,  it is not overfilled with oil..  I am not an idiot, i have been repairing cars for over 30 years.  Turns out Ford only used a very thin layer of silicone (no gasket), which will start to leak sooner or later.  Also, I highly recommend you get the special tools needed to lock up the crank and cams, otherwise the engine will jump out of time when the pulley is removed.  Otherwise, the job is relatively straight forward., but it is time consuming.  Mine started to leak at about 50,000 miles.  My transmission also was leaking ATF for the same reason.  Ford was real cheap with there silicone application on the transmission case halves.  Luckily, I got it repaired under warranty.

[Sky14FFH]

Oh my god.  There are no gaskets there?  I was getting my oil changed at the dealers so they conveniently didn't tell me until after 60,000 miles had passed but then came up with some justification it wasn't a bad enough leak to get it fixed under warranty.  Ford is dead meat.  For a hot moment 1998-2012 there they made quality cars.  I've done brakes, a/cs, struts and valve cover gaskets, you think I'd be able to do the timing chain cover gasket myself?  So there is no actual gasket replacement?  Ford is dead.

[lkatze2]

  Sky14fhh,      unfortunately,  not using gaskets is very common with many manufacturers these days.  Not sure why they having been getting away from gaskets, probably to save money and quicker to build engine at factory.    Applying silicone properly can sometimes be tricky, you don't want to use to little and you don't want to use too much.   

[Sky14FFH]

This is another one of those money saving techniques that make zero sense.  I don't see how using a gasket that costs $40 leading to a repair that costs over $1000 saves any money over not using "infotainment" screens that cost $2000.   Ditch the screens and the glittery things, keep the gaskets and gauges.  Also the switch to timing chains over timing belts is mindboggling if the repair to the timing chain cover costs over $1000 when the replacement for a timing belt used to cost $400.

Edited August 24, 2022 by Sky14FFH

[billford]

Usually the tee joint seal fails between the front cover, head and block due to different expansion rates. The front cover still has to be removed for the repair. 

I wouldn't worry about it if seeps a little. If it drips on the ground, I would get it done. 

If its repaired, check the silicone tube for the expiry date. 

 

 

[Sky14FFH]

Not getting any dripping on the ground yet but there is some dripping on the underbody panel.  Check the silicone tube for the expiry date?  You mean if I were to do this myself?  Is it possible without lifting the engine up out of the bay?  I do have a tube of permatex gasket maker but didn't know it expires.

[lkatze2]

You do not have to lift the engine.  There is a cover inside the wheel well that has to be removed that will allow you to fully access the front cover, pulley, bolts, sensor and any lines.   The annoying part about the leak is that the oil is dripping onto the undershield.  The undershield cannot be cleaned since it is made of some type of material that soaks up the oil, which will cause the undershield to eventually fall apart.

[Sky14FFH]

On 9/10/2022 at 8:34 PM, lkatze2 said:

some type of material that soaks up the oil, which will cause the undershield to eventually fall apart.

Was that by design to cloak the leak until the warranty runs out?   Is it possible to just run a bead of silicone around it prevent it from seeping out or is it under pressure?