Ford Can't Locate My Oil Leak

[Skoth]

2021 Ranger, 17k miles. About a month ago I found an oil puddle on my garage floor the size of my hand. I looked under and saw the oil filter drain trough covered with oil. I assumed the best at first and it took it the dealerships Quick Lane that has done its two oil changes so far. They said everything was tight and wiped it all down and that they must have not cleaned it well enough after the last oil change. I said that was about 6k miles ago so I doubt the oil just sat there and decided it was time to relocate to my floor. A few days later there was a smaller amount of oil on my garage floor. This continued for several cycles. Weekdays I only drive about 5 miles a day.

Took it into the service department. They thought maybe the front cover is leaking but weren't quite sure, so they added UV dye and wiped it down. I drove another 300 miles and brought it back. They couldn't find anything! Told me to keep driving and if it happens again, they'll check again.

Any ideas?

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[Msfitoy]

So no leaks since you took it in? My guess is that they didn't tighten the filter the first time and didn't want to fess up...

 

[Skoth]

So no leaks since you took it in? My guess is that they didn't tighten the filter the first time and didn't want to fess up...

No, it did leak a few more times after the initial check, just not as bad.

 

[TXRangerTim]

The one and only time I went to Ford's Quick Lane they were not good. They left the wheel well liner fasteners off and didn't believe me. They didn't clean up the oil from the filter either so I got oil on my garage floor also. I did my own oil change the next time and found they cranked the drain plug on way too tight. It took a lot of force and leverage to loosen it. It is a steel plug threading into an aluminum pan. Over tighten and it can easily crack the pan or strip threads.

Clean everything yourself as good as you can keep an eye on it. They could have not checked if the old filter gasket was still in place. Adding a new filter will then cause a leak.

 

[Msfitoy]

No, it did leak a few more times after the initial check, just not as bad.

Wow if it's still leaking, even a little, and they can't find it...time to go to another place...I'm assuming your Ranger is low mileage so the the engine should be relatively clean...drive up on some ramps and crawl underneath with a flash light...trace from where it's on the ground up to the lowest part where it's accumulating and go up from there...should not be that hard to track...

 

[Msfitoy]

The one and only time I went to Ford's Quick Lane they were not good. They left the wheel well liner fasteners off and didn't believe me. They didn't clean up the oil from the filter either so I got oil on my garage floor also. I did my own oil change the next time and found they cranked the drain plug on way too tight. It took a lot of force and leverage to loosen it. It is a steel plug threading into an aluminum pan. Over tighten and it can easily crack the pan or strip threads.

Clean everything yourself as good as you can keep an eye on it. They could have not checked if the old filter gasket was still in place. Adding a new filter will then cause a leak.

The rubber gasket is part of the filter and should not come off...trust me...I've probably changed my oil more than anyone here lol...

 

[TXRangerTim]

The rubber gasket is part of the filter and should not come off...trust me...I've probably changed my oil more than anyone here lol...

You're right that they should not come off; however, that doesn't mean it can't come off. Filter boxes used to instruct to verify the gasket stayed on the filter upon removal. They could have over tightened and cracked something also. The filter could be defective and have a small hole. Lots of variables to check.

 

[Msfitoy]

You're right that they should not come off; however, that doesn't mean it can't come off. Filter boxes used to instruct t verify the gasket stayed on the filter upon removal. They could have over tightened and cracked something also. The filter could be defective and have a small hole. Lots of variables to check.

True...in that case it's going to up to OP to remove and inspect it since the shop already demonstrated they can't do basic diagnostics...then again, this goes back to "learn to change" your own oil to avoid this kind of problem...so many things can go wrong...they could cross thread your filter, your drain bolt, forget to put your oil cap back on...you name it...

To OP...is the oil leak situated right below the filter spout? Is that why the filter is suspect?

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

@Skoth - did the mess return to the filter drain trough area?

 

[airline tech]

I’ve done many oil changes in my career and yes although rare- the gasket does on occasion stick to the housing. You will know immediately after start if you missed it - oil all over floor
I generally hand tighten- then extra grip tighten about 1/4 turn - and fill and leak check

 

[TXRangerTim]

Doing you own oil changes is the way to go. I changed out the drain plug to a valvomax.

You will need to fully clean the area and then see where the oil seems to come from.

 

[airline tech]

Best way to find it is dye and uv light - harbor freight or auto zone has them

 

[CO2Ranger]

Doing you own oil changes is the way to go. I changed out the drain plug to a valvomax.

You will need to fully clean the area and then see where the oil seems to come from.

This is the way.

 

[Skoth]

To OP...is the oil leak situated right below the filter spout? Is that why the filter is suspect?

They said the filter was fine. The oil always ends up in the exact same spot on my garage floor. I had them change the oil and filter this time since it was due. If it goes a week without leaking I'm gonna say it was probably just the old filter. If it does leak again I'm getting under there and looking before taking it in.

 

[Trigganometry]

Leaving the gasket behind changing a filter only happens to you once. This is my sworn testimony ?

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