2001 Ford Taurus Front Main Seal Leak Fix

2001 FORD TAURUS
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GUYC
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I own a 2001 taurus with a 12v 3.0 motor. This morning when backing up out of my driveway I noticed a puddle of oil. Upon further inspection I found the front main seal had walked out. Is this common? the car has 60,000 miles. Also is the oil pan gasket and main seal one piece. If so are they re-useable or do I have to buy new?
Thanks
Jan 7, 2007 at 2:51 PM
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INDYUKE
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You should buy all new seals when you pull the pan.
Jan 8, 2007 at 9:51 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Indyuke is right. The oil pan gasket is fussy and you don't want to do it twice. You may qant to pick up a revised oil pan that ford put out. The oil pan gasket is somewhat common, never hit a main seal though. There is a 2 step torque procedure on the oil pan, second time is when engine comes to temperature. Use contact adhesive on the gasket and place it on the pan first, not the block
Jan 8, 2007 at 9:59 AM

Suggested Repair

Replace all seals with new parts when the oil pan is removed; do not reuse the oil pan gasket or main seal. Consider Ford's revised oil pan. Apply contact adhesive and install the gasket on the pan first, not the block, then follow the two-step torque procedure, with the second torque after the engine reaches operating temperature.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2001 Ford Taurus with a 3.0L 12-valve engine and 60,000 miles found an oil puddle and a front main seal that had walked out, and asked whether that is common and whether the oil pan gasket and main seal are one reusable piece. Experts advised buying all new seals, noted that oil pan gasket leaks are somewhat common but a walked-out main seal is not, and recommended a revised Ford oil pan, contact adhesive with the gasket placed on the pan first, and a two-step torque procedure completed after the engine warms up.

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