1990 Ford F150 V8 engine leak?

Question

I'm looking to buy a used Ford F150 with an automatic V8 engine. Ther seems to be a slight leak and after looking under the engine it appears to be between where the trans and engine join together? Is this an expensive seal to repair? What is this type of leak called? I'm pretty sure it's oil not ATF. Thanks for your input!

Answer 1

If it is oil, then you must replace the Rear main seal. The seal costs less than $10, but you must either pull the engine or remove the transmission. It will be pricey. 6-8 hrs labour

Answer 2

The MORE COMMON engine oil leak source on trucks of that vintage would be a rusted through engine oil pan and/or the oil pan gasket itself due to it being a rubber type gasket. What tends to happen is the rubber cracks or stretches with age, and gets pushed through the gap between the engine block and the oil pan. To repair on this particular truck only requires lifting the engine slightly to enable oil pan removal. If it is the rear main seal that's leaking, like the other poster says, the transmission will need to be removed for access to the seal. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Is it like you may have spilled something and it's burning off? If so that will happen. Make sure your plugs are tight. Might be a loose exhaust manifold, or bad gasket. If not then probably head gasket. By the way, my 1986 F150 had a cartridge type filter in a canister bowl under the truck just behind the high volume pump on the frame rail, check with your local dealer as they are the only ones who sell the O-ring for the bowl and it needs replaced also.. And there is a low volume pump in the tank.

Answer 4

Yup, rear main seal. The seal is cheap, but the labor is a bear. Probably run somewhere around 350 bucks - give or take a little. The transmission has to be pulled to reach this seal.