89 B2 Massive Oil Leak -

[ragajungle]

So Humble, my Bronco II, decides to cut loose on the first cold snap (1 Degree F/-10 Degrees Below zero Windchill) Puking oil as fast as I can pour it in. But from where?

[EDIT: 2.9L V6 199K Miles]

I thought the rear main went but it's not... Being so cold and not having a garage currently the little bit of troubleshooting leads me to believe it is not the RM. I can see fresh oil down the back of the trans bell-housing. It leaks down from the top part of the motor and pools on the trans cross member - thus making it appear to be a RM seal leak.

>My Question is this: I replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets in Sept. I had the distributor shaft out a few times - Could this Dist O-Ring be the culprit? Could it leak that much from there?

>Also When I did the U/L intakes I reused the valve covers - I had replaced them last winter. (Duh, I probably answered my own question here) But the Felpro rubber gaskets I thought were reusable? If not, why would it have been okay since Sept?


Sorry so long winded - just trying to be as thorough as possible.
-Mike


BTW I just got my "BroncoIICorral" Stickers and was going to put em on but too much oil on back window

 

[unoleisu]

Older Rubber gaskets can freeze and shrink at that low of a temp. Get yourself a mirror on an extension (autozone, ect. carries them) and look back there at your dist. and the rest of the top rear of your engine. Probably will need a light shining back there too. I have to lay on top of my engine to get where I can see. 2.9 heads like to leak in the rear area for some reason. Mine are "seeping" a little in this area.

I think you pretty much answered yourself, just need to verify it. Valve covers might need to be reseated.....

 

[Shran]

Every 2.9 I've had has had massive leaks from the valve covers and distributor. That's where I would start.

Rear main seal leaks usually drip out of the bottom of the bellhousing or down the rear part of the oil pan. Yours doesn't sound like either.

 

[ragajungle]

Update

Well I got out some cardboard and got up under the truck... With the 3" body lift I could clearly see that the valve covers were dry - Also verified by using a wipe-all from on top - came off dry. I couldn't quite reach down to where the Distributor shaft but it was definately wet.

Shran:

I ran the truck for a bit while I watched underneath and I did notice some dripping from just under the bell housing - I think it might actually be leaking there too.

What the hell? You would think with the staggering amount of oil I am leaking that I blew a valve seat or piston ring - but there is ZERO blow-by. I mean the engine was utterly DRY last week. I even had a buddy comment at how dry it was with age/mileageand now it is leaking from the lower intake? Dist shaft? rear main? All (or one) happened yesterday.

Thank you Shran and Unoliuso for the replys

 

[ragajungle]

Check this out (The last post):
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/103826-rear-main-seal.html................... Just so happens the day before the seal started puking I replaced the PCV valve to be preventative? Hmmmmmm. could this valve being defective cause all this?

 

[unoleisu]

I guess the PCV valve could be defective, it would be worth trying to put the old one back in and see if there is a change, since it sounds like there was no leak using it.

I'm pretty curiouse about that.

 

[ragajungle]

Well I put a new OEM PCV valve in and magically the oil leaK subsided! Unbelievable! couldn't believe it but something as simple as a $3 valve can cause this much trouble! Wow!

 

[ragajungle]

oil leaking again. going to try oil seal rejuvenator and if doesn't work - buying 4.0L