3.0 V6 Engine Oil Leak:

[fusion78p]

First Post:

 

Hello to all! I am looking for some information that maybe someone on here can share with me. I have been searching just about every avenue available to help me with an engine oil leak SOMEWHERE on the 3.0 V6 engine that my 2007 Fusion SE has. At 83,000 miles, I noticed the smell of oil burning when I shut it off after arriving home one day about two months ago. For a back ground about the car,...

 

I bought it new, and have serviced the engine/drive train when due. Until the last two oil changes I used the standard 5 - 20 but switched to Mobile 1 syn because 95 % of the miles I drive are all highway and for longer than 120 miles a trip (one way) and I got tired of getting the oil changed so often.

 

After noticing the oil burning smell, I looked around the engine compartment and didn't see anything up top. I looked underneath the car and saw oil coatings on the bottom of the engine which included the exhaust pipe/catalytic converter (and the source of the "smell"). I made an appointment with the local Ford service dept and after they looked at it and gave me a repair estimate, the folks there thought the leak was coming from the right drive axle seal going into the trans. I have a couple of very good mechanic friends that took on the task to replace the seal but after closer inspection they did not think it was leaking. I had them put the seal(s) in anyway just to be sure.

 

The engine still had a leak. So after talking with as many Ford service dept managers that I could get on the phone in my area no one had a clue as to where it was coming from. I was hoping for a service bulletin that addressed the problem.

 

Next step was to add the engine oil dye that Ford makes and after driving for a while started checking with a black light. At first it looked like maybe some oil was leaking around a head gasket. But after changing the oil again and adding more dye (and cleaning the engine off very, very well top to bottom) we are still not sure. Maybe the head gasket, maybe the intake,... it is a very slow leak but it eventually makes it's way down the engine to the exhaust and burns.

 

If anyone is still reading this post and has any ideas or has had a similar problem please reply and make my day a bit better!!!

 

Thanks in advance for any ideas or help you all might have!

 

:sos:

[akirby]

First Post:

 

Hello to all! I am looking for some information that maybe someone on here can share with me. I have been searching just about every avenue available to help me with an engine oil leak SOMEWHERE on the 3.0 V6 engine that my 2007 Fusion SE has. At 83,000 miles, I noticed the smell of oil burning when I shut it off after arriving home one day about two months ago. For a back ground about the car,...

 

I bought it new, and have serviced the engine/drive train when due. Until the last two oil changes I used the standard 5 - 20 but switched to Mobile 1 syn because 95 % of the miles I drive are all highway and for longer than 120 miles a trip (one way) and I got tired of getting the oil changed so often.

 

After noticing the oil burning smell, I looked around the engine compartment and didn't see anything up top. I looked underneath the car and saw oil coatings on the bottom of the engine which included the exhaust pipe/catalytic converter (and the source of the "smell"). I made an appointment with the local Ford service dept and after they looked at it and gave me a repair estimate, the folks there thought the leak was coming from the right drive axle seal going into the trans. I have a couple of very good mechanic friends that took on the task to replace the seal but after closer inspection they did not think it was leaking. I had them put the seal(s) in anyway just to be sure.

 

The engine still had a leak. So after talking with as many Ford service dept managers that I could get on the phone in my area no one had a clue as to where it was coming from. I was hoping for a service bulletin that addressed the problem.

 

Next step was to add the engine oil dye that Ford makes and after driving for a while started checking with a black light. At first it looked like maybe some oil was leaking around a head gasket. But after changing the oil again and adding more dye (and cleaning the engine off very, very well top to bottom) we are still not sure. Maybe the head gasket, maybe the intake,... it is a very slow leak but it eventually makes it's way down the engine to the exhaust and burns.

 

If anyone is still reading this post and has any ideas or has had a similar problem please reply and make my day a bit better!!!

 

Thanks in advance for any ideas or help you all might have!

 

:sos:

 

Have you tried switching back to Motorcraft 5W-20? Have you ruled out the oil filter? Valve cover gaskets would be the next most likely source.

 

Edit - are you sure it's motor oil?

Edited November 30, 2010 by akirby

[fusion78p]

Have you tried switching back to Motorcraft 5W-20? Have you ruled out the oil filter? Valve cover gaskets would be the next most likely source.

 

Edit - are you sure it's motor oil?

 

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I switched back to a conventional oil, but went to 5W-30 for high milage engines and with some seal additives. On another forum the moderator suggested to another member that going to a higher viscosity oil would not be a bad idea. And we are pretty confident that it is engine oil that is leaking since the oil dye that I added did "glow" when checked after driving the car for a 200 miles. But pin-pointing that exact location is still evasive. If I cannot find anyone who has had a similar problem, then it is tear down time to find and fix the problem. I just hate to do that only to find the leak was something that did not need the top of the engine torn down to fix. But so many things are in the way just see anything very well,...

 

Oh, and I did switch to a different oil filter to make sure it was not that (we originally suspected it might have been leaking there).

 

Once again thanks for your reply!

Edited December 1, 2010 by fusion78p

[akirby]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, I switched back to a conventional oil, but went to 5W-30 for high milage engines and with some seal additives. On another forum the moderator suggested to another member that going to a higher viscosity oil would not be a bad idea. And we are pretty confident that it is engine oil that is leaking since the oil dye that I added did "glow" when checked after driving the car for a 200 miles. But pin-pointing that exact location is still evasive. If I cannot find anyone who has had a similar problem, then it is tear down time to find and fix the problem. I just hate to do that only to find the leak was something that did not need the top of the engine torn down to fix. But so many things are in the way just see anything very well,...

 

Oh, and I did switch to a different oil filter to make sure it was not that (we originally suspected it might have been leaking there).

 

Once again thanks for your reply!

 

Don't leave the 5W-30 in there too long. It's designed for 5W-20 and there is a difference (I'm sure Grey will explain it shortly.....)

Edited December 2, 2010 by akirby

[bbf2530]

Don't leave the 5W-30 in there too long. It's designed for 5W-20 and there is a difference (I'm sure Grey will explain it shortly.....)

 

Hi Allen. :D To avoid confusion for the OP, I corrected your accidental typo. Now Grey can explain the intricacies of why he should stick to 5W-20.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[akirby]

Hi Allen. :D To avoid confusion for the OP, I corrected your accidental typo. Now Grey can explain the intricacies of why he should stick to 5W-20.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

Oops! Fixed. Thanks!

[NHFocus]

While I'm not that familiar with the Fusion 3.0 Duratec's, I know the old 3.0L Duratec engines found as an option in the Taurus/Sable models were notorious for valve cover leaks, particularly on the rear of the engine. I know its difficult to get in there but that would be the next place that I would look. My '96 D30 has the same burning oil smell, and its dripping down on the exhaust/cat very slowly just as you described, and it IS coming from the vc gaskets.

[fusion78p]

We'll take another look at the valve cover gaskets. Someone else mentioned the PCV might be stuck. We had checked that as well, but maybe for the heck of it I will replace it just to see.

 

And I'll get the 5W-20 and another new filter put back in the engine. But "Grey" can sure post about why it is not a good idea to switch to a higher viscosity??? I have heard many different opinions on that and hearing one more would not hurt!

 

Thanks guys!

 

:headspin:

[fusion78p]

I replaced the PCV valve - but I still have a leak. It looks like it is NOT coming from the top of the engine though. That may be good news. Next Monday we are going to get the car up in the air and check the oil pan bolts. I read where someone had a problem with them coming loose.

 

I'll post what we find out.

 

Thanks for all the ideas!

 

:happy feet:

[AWD Phoenix]

I have a 07 v6 se AWD with just under 80k, no leaks yet, but last winter my GFs dad parked his plow truck in my spot (next to the garage) when he refilled the neumatic fluid that makes the plow move,I parked my car there that night,got up the next day and saw a 4 foot lime green slushie under my car and fliped out,I thought it was my rear wheel trans case,I was afraid to start it :doh: :excl: :shrug:

[fusion78p]

I replaced the PCV valve - but I still have a leak. It looks like it is NOT coming from the top of the engine though. That may be good news. Next Monday we are going to get the car up in the air and check the oil pan bolts. I read where someone had a problem with them coming loose.

 

I'll post what we find out.

 

Thanks for all the ideas!

 

:happy feet:

 

After a bunch of elimination process we think we have found the problem. There is a spacer or extension that is between the block and oil pan. That spacer or extension is where it appears to be leaking from. And it is getting worse.

 

The oil pan looks to be fairly easy to remove but we can't see all of the spacer deal and so I pose the question: anyone had to remove this part? Or how much is envolved in removing it? I cannot find a decent schematic or picture of the engine that shows this part. For the record the spacer is sealed with silicone.

 

Any help would be great! Thanks!

 

:happy feet: