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Oil leak

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2013 GT track pack with 36k.
I pulled the car out to clean up my garage and noticed some oil spots on the floor. I haven’t been under the car since having CJ, oil pump gears, stainless works long tubes (used) and ATI balancer installed. I noticed two things. First was the passenger side header and second was the oil leak which seems to be coming from the back of the oil pan or rear main seal. I’m just guessing as it is all between the trans and back of the engine area. I cleaned the floor, did some spirited driving then let it sit overnight and it left one maybe two drops.
Any insight is appreciated. My specific questions are
1). Can/should I still run the Sebring HPDE in 2 weeks?
2). Guesses as to the source of the oil leak and thoughts on the fix.
3). Is there anything that can be done with the passenger side header that is smashed up against the front control arm?
 
898
544
I would guess that the leak may be the oil pan gasket. If they followed the manual for oil pump removal and installation it calls for the pan to be removed.

Try to re-torque the pan fasteners per the manual. Call your shop and ask if they removed the pan. If they did and re-tightening the fasteners doesn’t fix the problem, replace the gasket.

If it’s the rear main seal, the motor will have to come out. The rear main also requires some Ford specialty tools.

As far as clearance for the header, try loosening the motor mounts at the k-member and see if you can nudge it over toward the drivers side. The top of the motor mounts on the k-member side can also be loosened and shifted slightly. Other options are dimple the header or replace the rear bushings with a smaller aftermarket set.

The leak is not bad enough right now to not go to the track. I would be more concerned about heating up that fluid filled control arm bushing.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
I wouldn't run with either of those issues.

I think if the rear main was leaking that oil would be coming out from behind the inspection plate. My guess is the pan gasket.

Good luck with the fixes.
 
Thank you all for the replies.
They did have the oil pan off so I’m cleaning everything up and retightening them this morning. Fingers crossed. I’ll have to wait till next weekend to try adjusting the motor for header clearance but I’ll keep you updated.
 

ArizonaBOSS

Because racecar.
Moderator
8,730
2,734
Arizona, USA
Also check the front of your engine for similar oil residue/dirt. If they didn't get the crank snout seal installed correctly it will create this type of oil residue all over the engine. Ask me how I know...
 
179
67
ny
differant motor but my fr500c had rear main leak.car sat 1 2 yrs after racing.oil got everywhere came out top vent and all in top valley area. coyot and mod use replate to hold seal.
i was able to repair it w pulling trans.new mmr plates and seal.
 
898
544
I forgot to mention that the other option was pulling the transmission to access the seal and retaining plate. But, you still need a specialty tool to pull the seal and install the new one.

Theses are the links to the tools from Freedom Racing:

Seal Puller: http://www.freedomracing.com/crankshaft-rear-oil-seal-remover-303-519-t95p-6701-eh.html

Seal Installer: http://www.freedomracing.com/rear-main-seal-installer-set-303-1250.html

Driver Handle: http://www.freedomracing.com/205-153-t80t-4000-w-adapter-driver-handle-alt-stallion-st-214.html

I do not know where to find the tools you would need on the MMR site. Having said that, some of their tools look to be the same as Freedom's and some are their own design.
 
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Oil pan bolts were torqued to correct specs. I gave them all an extra 1/4 turn figuring if that didn’t work I’d be replacing the gasket next anyways. It’s been a couple of weeks and I’ve done a good amount of high rpm highway pulls and such. No drips but I can see oil building up on the same back oil pan bolts and along the same area at the back of the pan. Still no oil from anywhere else that I can see. I think for now I’ll leave that “issue” alone but keep a close eye on it.
For the header issue, I bought a big hammer and pry bar but I couldn’t get a good angle with enough room from under the car. I have 2 jacks and lots of jack stands but that’s all the higher I can get the car. So I’m waiting to get it into a shop and have them fix it correctly.
And as always, I appreciate the good advice and suggestions. It’s miles above the other sites or FB, where you get Partout? Or #justsendit.
 

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