i believe i have a pretty bad oil leak in my truck (1999 f150 5.4), at times i can hear oil dripping and hitting the exhaust when hot. but other times when i lay under there and look, i don’t see a drop leaking from anywhere ? i seen something about others having issues with the valve cover, head gaskets or rear main seal leaking, i’m really hoping it’s none of those there but with my luck it’ll be all three leaking! what do you guys think? thanks!

 

First, shine a flashlight behind the alternator and down into the block cavity. The block cavity can fill with coolant and only leaks when in motion for the most part. It looks like oil by the time it hits the ground. Usually dumps out of the cavity just above the starter.

Anyway, confirm the block cavity is either empty and dry or wet and holding coolant first.