i have a major oil leak in the front driver side of the motor. its leaking on the exhaust man. but its not he valve covers. what could it be? cracked block, cracked head? oil filter?

Scrub the engine down till the area of the leak is located. If it is that bad then you will see where it is. Sorry to hear about that. Did you just get the car? What are the details?

The oil filter is down low on the left front. I doubt it could leak onto the exhaust.

There is, however, a common source of leak from the gasket between the oil filter adapter and the block. Maybe that is what it is.

Look here:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article41.html

Also, you don't mention what year your car is. If it is a 2000->2001 (I think)there is an issue with metal chips between block and head and seeping of oil of the the rear mating surface.

i got the car about a month ago for $200 but the oil leak didnt start till two weeks ago. It's a 92 with 267000 miles on her (she was a pizza boy car). also i have no reverse. I have power washed the motor and i cant find it. It gets all over because the fan sprays it everywhere. i might have to disassemble things to get a closer look

the leak leaks on the front of the exhaust maniflod it looks like its coming front the man

I had the same thing. The fan sprayed the oil all over the left side of the engine and compartment.


It was the oil filter adapter gasket. I changed it, it stopped.

All 4.6 engines up through at least 94 eventually leak here.

You cannot find it on an engine that has warmed up. It stops when the engine gets warm.

Change the gasket.

it leaks hot or cold. the damn car smokes like crazy going down the road from the front and it drips oil when sitting over night but slows

Change the gasket.

While there inspect the oil pressure switch and the casting to be sure they aren't cracked and leaking.

Other posters have had leaks there.

where do i get this gasket? do i have to go to a dealer?

Yes --- It isn't expensive.

The part number is in the article I put a link to.

I hate oil leaks especially TUNA oil-

I had a similar experience when I over-tightened the oil-pressure sender switch (DAMN PIPE THREADS!)and cracked the oil-filter adaptor rendering my car useless. You might want to just buy a new adaptor because IMHO it is just as likely the adaptor which is leaking, and while you're there, you'd hate to change the gasket, only to have it not be fixed and have to do it over. The suck part is that it is a dealer-only part. I think I paid like $150. I found the job not too tough, but it was POURING OUT that day and I got really soaked but: Don't forget that engine coolant also flows through the oil filter adaptor, so you'll have to drain that first, unless you want to take a bath (like I did) in coolant. Since it was pouring so bad, I just said F-it and disconnected from the hose. Also get some swivels and extentions to reach those bolts (10mm I think) and don't forget there's like a small wire and a bracket which has to go on as well. The gasket I got was the re-usable kind that Fords now use, which is great because it's hard to overtighten it. Notice I didn't say you CAN'T overtighten it.
Good luck!

i have changed the gasket and i still have the damn oil leak, its not the gasket nor the valve cover, what could it be?

Wash the area you suspect, by spraying brake and parts cleaner on it.

Run the car and watch where it comes from.

Do it while the engine is cold because the oil pressure is higher and the leak will be worse.

Turn the tires fully to the left for better access, jack up the front until the left front tire is about 4 inches off the ground. Put a jack stand under the frame so you can crawl under to inspect the area around the filter. Use a flashlight so you can see into all the little areas.

We can only make suggestions, you will have to see it to be certain where it is coming from.