2001 Ford Taurus Oil Leak Smoke

2001 FORD TAURUS
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JUMBOLAYA
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  • 2 POSTS
Hello, and thank you for a wonderful forum. I have a 2001 Ford Taurus with 160000 miles. While driving to work, at a stop light I noticed some smoke coming from under the hood. After pulling over and examining I noticed oil dripping onto the ground about once every 5 seconds from the right side (passanger side) of the engine. I couldn't see it properly, but it also looked like oil was dripping onto a metal Y-bar shaped part (also on right side) and this was causing the smoke.

To be properly informed before I take to a mechanic, could this be an oil pan gasket leak? Is that a DIY job ( I have a friend who actually has a lift in his home garage). Thank you in advance.
Dec 12, 2006 at 9:30 AM
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BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 337 POSTS
Unless you see where the oil is leaking from it could be coming from anywhere. The one piece of information that you give me that leads me to believe that the leak is coming from the top is that the car was smoking. This means the oil is leaking down onto the exhaust mainfold which would lead me to believe it is one of the valve cover gaskets leaking. Hope this helps.
Dec 12, 2006 at 9:44 AM
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JUMBOLAYA
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Thanks for the helpful reply. Any idea if thats a DIY job?
Dec 13, 2006 at 4:22 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,754 POSTS
If you narrow this down to a valve cover gasket, which is a good bet, it is a fairly easy project.
Dec 13, 2006 at 4:39 AM

Suggested Repair

Confirm the leak source before replacing parts. Smoke and oil dripping onto the exhaust area suggest a valve cover gasket rather than the oil pan. If a valve cover gasket is confirmed, replacement is a fairly easy DIY job.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2001 Ford Taurus with 160,000 miles reported smoke under the hood and oil dripping about every five seconds from the passenger side onto a metal Y-shaped part. They asked whether it could be an oil pan gasket and if it was DIY. Experts said the leak source must be confirmed, but smoking indicates oil reaching the exhaust manifold, making a valve cover gasket the likely cause. If confirmed, valve cover gasket replacement is a fairly easy project.

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