Have developed a few problems with my 94 302. First is a loud tick like sound when under preasure. I don't think it is a valve tick, because if you slowly rev it, it doesn't tick. Any one know how to find the problem, and my next problem is that it leaks oil like a sieve. I think it is an oil pan gasket. It only leaks when it runs. It doesn't leak while sitting still. Thanks for help!

 

Loud ticking sound - could this be an exhaust leak? I've heard engines do that kind of thing. Nothing when you rev it up under no load but when you drive it, the more gas it gets the louder the sound/tick. You might look for a bad exhaust manifold gasket. Sometimes they can get a tiny hole burned through between the head and the manifold. It can leave a black soot spot where it's leaking.

Oil leak - "I think it is an oil pan gasket. It only leaks when it runs. It doesn't leak while sitting still." Sorry, I'm not completly sure what you mean. Do you mean that the truck only leaks when it is physically moving/rolling but can sit still idling and no leak? If so, it sound like a bad oil pan gasket. If other, Fords are notorious for bad oil pressure sending units so you might look there. If there's too much oil to see try taking it to a car wask and washing the engine off. Drive it a little and then take another look.

 

If the oil is coming from the back side, I would take a really hard look at the rear main oil seal. Oil is only up in that area when the engines running. As for the noise, it could be the gas detonating before it's time for it to. Try a tank of 90 or even 93 octane and see if it goes away.

 

The oil is dripping of the exhaust in the rear. How much does it cost to change the rear main?

 

Don't be fooled by the location of the leak my friend. There is a real problem with 302's oil pan leaking and it can leak at the part of the pan near the rear main. This is a real problem. I had a similar problem- I dropped the tranny to get to the rear main, did all the work, started her up and same old leak. Yes, it was the pan gasket. Try to locate the leak first, you will save some real time. Now if it is the pan, then do the oil pump and pickup while you are down there. It is cheap. Both jobs are a lot of work on the 302.

 

Neither one is expensive to replace. Just time consuming. If I were you, I'd start praying right now that it's the oil pan. lol. If it's the rear main, you have to drop the transmission. If you really want to know exactly where it's coming from, put some dye in your oil right before your next oil change. Start it up and shine a black light from underneath. The dye will light up green (I believe...might depend on the brand). Otherwise, just wipe it off the best you can and try to eyeball where it's coming from. Just remember to follow it all the way UP. Oil leaks can definitely be tricky sometimes.

 

If it's leaking onto the exhaust manifold....have you checked the valve covers for the leak?

 

I don't think it is valve covers, I looked more closely, and tried ripping it. Now I almost know it is a pan gasket. I have read in other places that you can do this without lifting the engine. Can any one elaborate on that?

 

My Chiltons book says you have to lift the engine and put blocks under the motor mounts, then drop the pan onto the crossmember, reach in and unbolt the pickup tube, drop it in the pan, then slide the pan out from underneath. Most definitely want to replace the oil pump while you're in there.

 

CCM130,

Since no one has mentioned a blown lower intake gasket I will. It seems that when a PCV fails shut the LI gasket blows right at the firewall. When this happens a very good oil leak develops. This seems to be a common issue on a 302.