Oil Leak

[cubewhiz]

I have an oil leak on my 89 Ranger 2.9. I thought it was the valve cover gasket, but I replaced them both and there is still a leak. The leak must be coming from up high because I checked after running the vehicle and there were wet spots just below the valve covers. The spots are not running down from the valve covers, but instead on the flat part below them. My theory is that it is coming from behind whatever the water pump bolts to. The water pump bolts to something, which appears to be bolted to the engine. Is there a gasket between this 'something' and the engine, that if needed replacement, would leak oil? I was told it probably wasn't the head gasket or a cracked head because I would have coolant in my oil. Is this true? Can I at least rule that out?

Any help would be great.

Thanks!

 

[nine-teen91stxranger]

im not a 2.9l expert, but i knkw motors and i think what your talking about is a timing chain/gear cover, and yeah.those can leak oil

 

[strvger]

probably not a cracked head. it could be a gunked up intake manifold. that was the cause of my similar leak in a 2.8.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

intake manifold gasket or timing cover gasket. try replacing the pcv valve

 

[adsm08]

While not likely, it isn't impossible for a bad head gasket to cause an external oil leak with no oil/coolant exchange.

 

[cubewhiz]

Just replaced PCV valve a few months ago.

Intake manifold gasket or timing cover gasket...which would you try first?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

whichever one is leaking. the intake is slightly higher than the timing cover.

 

[cubewhiz]

I looked at it again--I think it is the timing cover. Anything I should know before I take the front of my engine apart?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

intake manifold gasket or timing cover gasket. try replacing the pcv valve

The PCV can help but also look at the intake manifold front and rear in the valleys between the head and block. clean it good with gas and let it dry then squish some black RTV sealant into the valleys with your finger. If you do it right it will make a plug on the inside that will keep the oil from pushing out when the crankcase in in a pos pressure. I always put a bead of permatex in the valleys when installing the intake manifold but if you do it right you can stop the bleeding without pulling the manifold. If it is the timing chain cover you will need to replace the gasket and may as well upgrade the chain and gears while you have it apart.