Well, oil started leaking again. DAMN!

[Hardwareman]

I just looked under my Ranger and saw a spot of oil under it. I just replaced all the gaskets and seals and thought the oil leaks were over.

It's coming from the front of the engine on the drivers side right above the oil pan. Right after I completed all the seals and gaskets I immediately had the "brand new" front main leaking so I replaced that and it stopped. Now this?! I'm thinking the oil pump?

The only thing I can think of is the oil pump. Maybe I can pull the oil pump and apply some black RTV to the copper gasket that bolts it to the block? Does anyone know if there's a problem with the 2.3 leaking right there because I had this same leak before along with all the others?

Man, I don't really want to deal with this right now but I guess I have to.




Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

Ok, just went outside in the driveway and got under the truck. I tried my best to trace the leak and it appeared to be coming from the oil pump, so I sprayed carb cleaner all over the entire oil pan and upper surrounding area on the drivers side of the engine including the oil pump area the best I could.

Then..............I took it for a drive around the block and came back home and parked it in the driveway. I let it sit for about 5-10 minutes and got up under it again............NO LEAK!!!!!!!

So I put my hand right up under the area of the oil pump above the oil pan and it felt like fresh oil grime. I think I found it guys! I'll go back out in a few and double check though. Wierd how nothing's dripping now though.

Did I need to put black RTV on that copper gasket that goes between the pump body and block because I did'nt? That's where it appears to be leaking as well.

Also, does anyone know where I can get the two o-rings that go around the oil pump body? Thanks



Allen

 

[Mark_88]

Not sure about the oil pump but when I changed the oil pan gasket on my Ranger it called for RTV in a few places...some gaskets that compress to seal simply don't need it but a copper gasket might have...

I usually put a piece of cardboard under the engine so when it drips I can see pretty much where it is coming from...unfortunately it doesn't always indicate exact spots because of the drip and drain properties of some fluids...

Hope it's something simple and easy to fix...I hate oil leaks...

 

[Hardwareman]

Yeah, when I did the oil pan gasket I used RTV silicone at the joints stated in my manual. It's somewhere right above the front of the oil pan on the drivers side. I sprayed the area really well with brake cleaner and it was dry, then when I came back it was moist with fresh oil but not enough to leak yet.

The oil rolls from there along the lip of the oil pan (where the bolts are), and then starts downward right above the crossmember. It actually drips 3"-4" behind the drain bolt. But like I said, it's a small leak because it did'nt drop anything after I ran it around the block and even when it does leak, it's only like a pea to a dime size. WAFJ!



Allen

 

[Mark_88]

My Zuki had a leak just at the back of the valve cover...tried changing the gasket and that helped a bit...had to redo the gasket again recenlty though because I actually tightened the VC down too much...caused the VC to buckle and leak again...dang!

My Ranger is now leaking around the VC but that's because I didn't tighten it down properly...it kinda worked to my advantage because I wasn't sure if the top end was getting oil...it's a rebuilt head that cost me $600 so it's important that it gets oil...don't want to have to replace that again too soon...

 

[Hardwareman]

I hear that!

Yeah, my valve cover's not leaking thank god. Already changed that one out. It's the oil pump gasket that came in my lower engine conversion kit. It's metal with a rubber center ring molded to it. I don't know wether it's copper or brass though. I'm going to have to remove it and apply some black RTV to it before I reinstall it.

Maybe I'll do it today.



Allen

 

[Mutant Pony]

Witf are you talking about? is this a joke?

Do you mean the Fuel pump? why would it have a mechanical fuel pump?

 

[Hardwareman]

I'm talking about the "oil pump" Mutant.

On 95 and later 2.3's it's mounted to the block and needs to be timed with the timing belt.

I needed to know if anyone's had leaking issues there. I've read you knew these engines so this is a suprise to me.

[/IMG]


Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

Well still have'nt torn it down yet. I'm trying to be absolutely sure it's at the oil pump before I tear it apart but there's soooooooo much crap in the way that I can't tell.

All I know is that IT IS above the oil pan gasket right from that area and as far as I can tell, that's the only oil item that can leak right there. I thought it was well sealed though. My negative battery cable bolts up to the block right below the oil pump and above the oil pan and it has traces of oil on it. Can the pump body itself leak?

The engine's pretty clean as to where I can clearly see that's where the oil's coming from, but I just can't see where the leak itself is. ARRRRGH!



Allen

 

[skippy]

can you fish a inspection mirror in there?

 

[Hardwareman]

Hey Skippy,

That's a good idea, but I don't think I have one....haha. I don't know if I could get a clear view of it though even if I did. I think I'm going to have to tear it down. Fan/shroud/belt/timing belt/pulley/oil pump. Oh well, I guess I should look on the bright side: At least I can do it myself huh?




Allen

 

[skippy]

Hey Skippy,

That's a good idea, but I don't think I have one....haha. I don't know if I could get a clear view of it though even if I did. I think I'm going to have to tear it down. Fan/shroud/belt/timing belt/pulley/oil pump. Oh well, I guess I should look on the bright side: At least I can do it myself huh?




Allen

what a pain,yeah cheaper to do it yourself.good luck.

i have several mirrors for checking solder joints after brazing.don't have one in my personal toolbox yet.

 

[Mutant Pony]

That is a new one on me. I've never heard of that pump arrangement before. As I've said before, I don't know much about the "newer" ones.
I learned something new about 2300s today, It's a good day!

 

[Hardwareman]

That is a new one on me. I've never heard of that pump arrangement before. As I've said before, I don't know much about the "newer" ones.
I learned something new about 2300s today, It's a good day!

No worries buddy!

Believe me, I know you know these motors and this was just a surprise to me. I've read A LOT of other posts you've made and you definitely know the 2.3. I feel all toasty inside because I knew about this and you did'nt.......haha.

Just kidding Mutant,
But honestly here, in the picture I posted above you can vividly see the outer ring of that metal gasket behind the pump. Do you think a gasket like that could leak without some RTV on it? Would you have put some on there?

Thanks man. I can't believe you were starting to get mad at me......lol



Allen

 

[Mutant Pony]

I don't think "sillycone" would be the right thing to do. If the pump is leaking, you need to find out why.
I wasn't mad, I just didn't understand. I thought maybe you were making some kind of joke.
It can't be a very common problem as I've never seen it before. It is probably something simple.