Persistent engine oil leak, 2001 V6

[HyeLifeLS]

I have been having this oil leak from what it seamed like the oil pan gasket for few months now and decided to attack it. As some of you know the V6 oil pan is a PITA to remove, gotta take apart half of the car pretty much, changed that and also noticed that front main seal had a leak, changed that too while I was there. Put everything back and couple of days later noticed again the leak continues. Had the car on the lift at the alignment shop and noticed that it is coming from a bit higher than the oil pan. I think it is called the secondary oil pan or oil pan spacer, not sure, but looks like oil leaks from top of it. When I was under the car it didn't look very clear on how to remove that part when I had the oil pan out.

I talked to my mechanic and he suggested puting a dye in the oil to see where the leak is from exactly. Might go do that in next few days, he also said that to change the gasket on top of that spacer the motor needs to be out and it is a big job, it does look like it, but I want to see if any of you guys had a problem like this and what was your fix for it.

2001 V6 Sport Auto 277400 miles.

 

[milehighmikey]

I know that someone changed that gasket last year, not sure who, but the engine can stay in. You have to get a straddle bar setup to hold the engine up from the side rails of the hood parking area on the tops of the fenders. You support the engine, then you remove the entire cross member to gain access, IIRC. One thing that bothered me about that job is that I thought that the piece in question, perhaps called the intermediate oil pan adapter, lol, also holds in the main bearing caps. I just don't remember for sure but that is something that I would not touch, if true. I don't recall the poster last year saying anything about this being that hard. But he did get a hold of a top of the engine support bar lift and was able to get the job done in pretty short order, with success. Personally, I don't think I will ever find it that annoying to be worth it, but mine also has that same leak.

2000 V6 Manual 294816 miles

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Thanks for the reply Mike, I do have the support bar and I did have to use it to get the oil pan out. I did notice that that questionable adapter looks like holds up bearing caps, that's why I didn't want to mess with it, also, I didn't find any gaskets for it, looks like it might just need to be sealed back into the place.

 

[joegr]

Yes, I think they use some sort of gasket maker or sealant instead of an actual gasket.

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Yes, I think they use some sort of gasket maker or sealant instead of an actual gasket.

Joegr, any idea on removing it?

thanks

 

[joegr]

The service manual is completely silent on that, as it is with the rest of the bottom of the engine. Apparently, they never intended any repair in that area. I think that the bearing caps are part of it too.
You might be able to find out more on one of the Jaguar forums.

 

[cammerfe]

FWIW, that's the way the V8 is made. For details, you might find something in the manual for some other car in the Ford line that uses the same basic engine.

KS