Hello all!

I’m new here but I have always used this forum. This one is a stumper.

I have a 2011 F-150 XL 2WD 5.0 with 160k miles that is leaking oil between the engine and transmission. I’m not seeing drips on the ground and if there are it’s maybe a tiny little puddle.



I have already had the oil pan gasket replaced around 20k miles ago and then I also just had the rear main done at the dealership 1,000 miles or less ago. I’m stumped. I only see that it’s wet around the back side of the oil pan from up by the gasket to the bottom of the oil pan, between the transmission and on the bell with it tapering off around the transmission pan. It’s hard to tell where it could be coming from because it’s only leaking while driving which just sprays the oil all over the place.

any ideas?

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

If the dealer just replaced the rear main seal beat feet back to the dealer and let them evaluate it. If they didnt get it right they will for free. If its something else they will give you an estimate for repair.

 

Trans oil or motor oil?
Wipe drips with a white paper towel or rag as close to the source as possble. This will help narrow it down.
Red= trans
Brown/black= engine

 

I have the same issue. I heard about a lot of 5.0's having oil pan leaks. That makes me hopefull that it is a gasket leak and not a rear main.
It is not leaking enough to need oil added between oil changes (7500miles). So, it is more of a nuisance than anything, but I was planning to change the oil pan gasket this summer.

I attempted to spray clean the area with degreaser and then carb cleaner, hoping to identify where the leak starts showing up. But I didn't get back under the truck for a few days. By the time I got to it, it looked the same as befroe I cleaned it..
Has anyone tried this?

 

You can get a leak detect kit which includes dye for the oil and a light that makes it glow. This helps to trace it to the source.

I personally would not address any leak that doesn't make a puddle on the floor because it just isnt cost effective and there is always the risk that the leak isn't diagnosed correctly or the repair is ineffective or made worse.

To each his own.

 

I’d recommend you take it back to the dealership for an evaluation of the work they just did. My bet is the seal is leaking.

Its best to do it while it’s still a covered repair

 

I have a '13 2wd with the 3.7 that has the same thing. I can't see a source, but until it's a bigger deal than it is right now, I'm not going to worry about it. I have the torque converter shudder and an occasional hard shift from 1st to 2nd, so I was assuming it was trans fluid. I'm gonna be under the truck doing some other maintenance stuff in the coming week so I'll look closer then. I agree that if you just paid for some other stuff that may be the cause, then go back and get it looked at.

 

I had the dealership do me a homie hookup, they put it up in the air and checked, they said the oil pan gasket AND timing cover are leaking. I think that’s bs with the timing cover though, I think what they mean is it’s leaking the worst AT the timing cover but still the pan gasket. I know it has the two little notches that need some RTV when replacing it. I don’t see any wet oil anywhere around the timing cover except for maybe a little bit around where the cover and pan meet.

 

I bet you’re glad you took it back to the dealer so quickly.

What’s the next steps to correct the issue?