Still leaking LOTS of oil after front end re-seal

[mephi]

So I just spent the past 6 weeks slowly and meticulously (mostly slowly) resealing and cleaning off the engine in my Festiva. I replaced the valve cover, cam and front main seals, oil pump seal, pan gasket, and dizzy o-ring. Looks like the thing is either still slinging oil from the crank, meaning that the crank sealing journal is so worn that I would have to sleeve it in order to fix it, or there is a leak somewhere above the water pump on the front side of the engine.

The water pump has been replaced by someone other than a professional, based on the gobs of RTV. Is there a place in that procedure somewhere that leaks oil if not sealed properly?

I'm looking at a new engine or a rebuild here on just 208,000 miles. It's kind of annoying.

[Nerd Racing]

your head could be worn out where the cam seal sits, it gets heat baked more often. I that issue on my 96 aspire.

[fastivaca]

Could be the oil pan gasket itself. It took me two attemps (and gaskets) before I got it to seal properly. I'd suggest you check that out.

[mephi]

Could be the oil pan gasket itself. It took me two attemps (and gaskets) before I got it to seal properly. I'd suggest you check that out.

I would suspect it, and it may still be leaking, but the oil is just getting too high up on the engine block for me to think the oil pan is the source. Oil is splashing all the way up to the exhaust manifold. I will give it a good look though. I've seen some stranger things.

As far as the cam seal goes, I just replaced it because I was there. Upon initial inspection though, there was no cast off from the cam pulley, so I don't think that one is a problem.

[blkfordsedan]

When you start to get frustrated, just remember this:

Real Fords don't LEAK oil.....they just mark their territory.

[MTec007]

my ford marks its territory, half a dozen at work, a few at walmart, and the paved driveway.

[mephi]

My big worry is that it leaks all over the alternator drive belt, timing belt, alternator, and exhaust. I don't want to have to keep replacing belts or worry about a car fire. The smoke coming off of the exhaust manifold and cat can get pretty thick.

[mattswabb]

I had an engine that the crank snout was so worn and I replaced the seal twice and it still leaked. I bought a seal kit that had a repair sleeve and that fixed it.

here's a thread with the part #'s I used

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2837&highlight=crank+sleeve

[GenevaDirt]

Could be the oil pan gasket itself. It took me two attemps (and gaskets) before I got it to seal properly. I'd suggest you check that out.

I agree totally...the oil pan gasket on our cars is a terrible repair. 3 times for me and I finally got it only because I had the engine out of the car. That part of the gasket/seal by the crank pulley sucks! As far as how far it is getting on the engine.....you have to remember that the oil is being thrown by the belt and pulley.

[mephi]

I'm thinking about just swapping in the 1.8L out of a Protege. I might even have one I can get a hold of cheap.

[92festie]

Do it!!

[TominMO]

I'm thinking about just swapping in the 1.8L out of a Protege. I might even have one I can get a hold of cheap.

Now you're thinking with your dipstick, Jimmy!

[walth]

Could be the oil pan gasket itself. It took me two attemps (and gaskets) before I got it to seal properly. I'd suggest you check that out.

I agree totally...the oil pan gasket on our cars is a terrible repair. 3 times for me and I finally got it only because I had the engine out of the car. That part of the gasket/seal by the crank pulley sucks! As far as how far it is getting on the engine.....you have to remember that the oil is being thrown by the belt and pulley.

so any suggestions to making this a "one-time successful" oil pan gasket change?

Mephi, did you ever figure out exactly what the issue was?

as far as oil pan gaskets go, I'm going to start a thread in maintenance so people can find these tips easier