Have a 1997 F150 w/ 4.6L engine. The remote oil lines are leaking AGAIN. Replace the unit with a Motorcraft unit last time. What is the book time on this job??? Or how big of a task is it?

 

hard job. Power steering pump has to be dismounted. I have no idea the shop time but I bet a ford tech can do it in less then 4 hours. I would do it myself and take it to a hose joint and see if they could come up with something better. Mine has sweated a small amount since I've had my truck. Never drip and once a year or so I wipe it down.

 

I'm getting too old to crawl under this truck for repairs and do not have a lift. Wow I didn't know the PS pump had to be dismounted. My lines leak a small puddle. (again!).

 

Checked with the shop I do business with this A.M.. (not a Ford dealership). The manager said about 2 hours labor.

 

I feel very fortunate, mines never leaked...has boat loads of miles on them. Doesn't sound like a fun fix.

 

Ya know Jbrew, my unit I have on now only leaked when very cold, not a lot but leaked onto the ground. Now it leaks even when it is warmer out.

 

I've never done the job, but from what I've seen in the past, vaguely recall, it's a rubber seal or type of o-ring. Is it leaking by the engine side, the hose itself or the cooler, if it has a cooler. Yea, I'd have to research that one.

Trade yuh, I'm working on rotted exhaust lol.

 

It is a pretty big job, especially if your truck is not lifted. I recently did mine right after installing a 6" zone lift. The lift allowed me access to the bolts on engine which are very difficult to get at with the front diff in the stock position. At the front of the truck where the filter bracket mounts, there are a couple of bolts right between the frame rail and the body. You only have a tiny amount of space and ratcheting box end wrench is critical. It requires lots of contortions to get your arms and hands where they need to be. Lots of scrapes and scratches. It is a tough job. If mine leaks again, I will honestly consider paying a dealer $300-$400 for their labor to replace.

There are o-rings on both ends of the assembly where the assembly attaches to the engine and to the filter housing. However, I don't think that is where leaks usually occur. On mine, and most others I've read about, the leak was where the rubber hose connects to the metal pipe.

Note: I didn't have to remove my power steering pump. I have a 1999 4x4 4.6 manual trans.

 

This is leaking from the top side, near the filter. The 1st hoses leaked at the crimp. The 2nd unit , currently on the truck is wet above the crimp. It may be an O ring problem. I will clean off good and pinpoint the leak.
tagoo the shop quoted me $180.00 for labor and the manager said it is a pain.

 

I'd certainly have them do it for that price!