Filter Fix for Ford Oil Leak

By Tom Purser and Jeff Webster

Some Ford or Mercury owners may complain about an oil leak coming from their vehicle. Certain Taurus, Ranger and Sable vehicles equipped with the 3.0L, two-valve “Vulcan” engine may exhibit an engine oil leak at the oil filter mounting surface. This may be caused by machined chatter marks during production. The marks are machining lines radiating outward from the center adapter and could create a leak path. If machining marks are in a circular pattern, they are considered normal and acceptable and will not cause an oil leak. The oil leak may easily be mistaken for an oil pan leak. To stop the leak, remove the oil filter and sand the oil filter mounting (pad) surface. Refer to the following service procedure for details.

Applicable Models
2001 Ford Taurus, Ranger
2001 Mercury Sable

Equipment Information
12 Volt Master UV Diagnostic Inspection Kit – P/N 164-R0756

Service Procedure
OIL LEAK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Note: When diagnosing engine oil leaks, the source and location of the leak must be positively identified prior to repair. Verify oil leak is from the oil filter mounting area. If necessary use the fluorescent oil additive method described below to determine the leak path. Prior to carrying out this procedure, clean all sealing surface areas with a suitable solvent to remove all traces of oil.

Engine Oil Leaks Fluorescent Oil Additive Method (Use the 12 Volt Master UV Diagnostic Inspection Kit to carry out the following procedure for oil leak diagnosis.)
1. Add gasoline engine oil dye. Use a minimum 0.5 ounce (14.8 ml) to a maximum one ounce (29.6 ml) of fluorescent additive to all engines. If the oil is not premixed, fluorescent additive must first be added to crankcase.
2. Run the engine for 15 minutes. Stop the engine and inspect all seal and gasket areas for leaks using the 12 Volt Master UV Diagnostic Inspection Kit. A clear bright yellow or orange area will identify the leak. For extremely small leaks, several hours may be required for the leak to appear. Note: If the leak is from the oil filter mounting surface, continue with the following procedure. If leak is not from the oil filter, determine other leak source and repair as required.

OIL FILTER MOUNTING SURFACE REFINISHING PROCEDURE
1. Remove the starter motor to gain access to the oil filter mounting surface.
2. Drain the oil and remove the oil filter.
3. Wipe the oil filter pad (oil filter mounting/sealing surface) on the cylinder block and visually inspect the machined surface. A circular machined pattern is normal and acceptable and will not create a leak path (Figure 1).
4. If machining lines (chatter/roughness) radiating outward from the center adapter are visible or low spots (flatness concern) is suspected, continue with the rest of the procedure. (Figure 2).
5. Remove the oil filter adapter fitting (threaded nipple). The nipple has an internal hex that should be used to minimize damage.
6. Plug the center oil filter adapter hole and the other oil inlet holes with plastic caps, rag plugs, etc.
7. Sand the filter pad using a 60-grit sandpaper with a flat block or an oscillating sander with a flat pad until radial machining lines and low spots (dull areas) are removed.
8. Carefully clean the filter pad with shop air and rinse/flush the pad with an appropriate liquid cleaner with the oil passages still plugged. Note: It is important to thoroughly clean all metal and sandpaper debris from the oil filter pad to prevent contaminating the engine oil that could lead to engine bearing damage.
9. Remove the plastic plugs, rag plugs etc. from the oil filter adapter hole and the other oil inlet holes, and install the oil filter adapter fitting (threaded nipple). Torque to 22-30 foot-pounds (30-40 Nm).
10. Lubricate the oil filter pad and oil filter seal with clean engine oil and install the new oil filter. Tighten filter three-quarter to one turn after initial seal contact.
11. Install the starter motor.
12. Fill engine with new engine oil, start engine and check for oil leaks.

TOM PURSER has 17 years of dealership and independent shop experience as a shop manager, service consultant, shop foreman and ASE Certified Technician.

JEFF WEBSTER has 20 years of experience as a writer/editor.

Comments