A car mechanic's advice requested please!

[hyphenate]

My Windstar sat in front of the house for about a month when I decided to start it and move it. Before it sat in front of the house for that month, I had been driving it almost daily with absolutely NO problem.

However, in starting it and moving it, I discovered a huge oil leak. It was quite literally just running out of the car. I put a container under the car to catch the oil, and found the leak is on the passenger's side, kind of just behind the right front wheel. When the car was shut off, the leak died away. The next time I had to start it and move it, the oil gushed out upon starting, and then stopped again when I turned it off.

It's a front wheel drive, 3.8 engine, 6 cylinder. It's a regular 7 passenger van, and the reason it's been sitting is I can't drive it until I get it registered again.

My sister thought it might be the oil filter or the oil line, a neighbor told me it could be the right rear seal, and I have absolutely no idea of what it is. So I would love to have at the very least an idea of the problem to understand how long it's going to be before I can drive it again!

Many thanks to those who might have an idea, and a cyber beer to those who have an inkling of what I'm dealing with. :toast:

[LaurenG]

1. How old it the van

Look for the simplest explanation first. Hopefully it's just a crack in the line. I'm just visualizing what it could be, I'm not a mechanic at all. Plus I thought I'd kick your thread.:D

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7. thanks--appreciated! eom

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. It sounds like the oil is under pressure.

Since the oil is coming out only when the engine is running, I have to assume that the oil leaking out is under pressure from the oil pump. If this were a front or rear main seal (the seals around the crankshaft) it would leak any old time.

The oiling system is mostly closed. There should be no external passages or tubes except for the oil filter and if you have an oil cooler.

Oil filter. This is a closed filter that screws on to a special boss on the engine block. There is an o-ring that seals it to the block. If this o-ring splits, oil will spill out under presuure. Cure: change the filter. It's worth a try. If the filter has been punctured the symptom will be the same. The are usually under 5 bucks at the parts store.

If your van has an oil cooler. An adapter for the cooler resides between the oil filter and the block. Same o-ring issue applies. A hose might have also failed.

Try the filter first.

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8. Thanks--

that sounds more promising than an entire engine rehaul, which I had done about a year and a half ago!

[thefool_wa]

13. It could be front side seals

Is a Windstar front wheel drive like the Aerostar used to be?

If so then oil leaking under pressure from that side could be aux shaft seal or the front main seal.

If rear wheel then I am way off base and oil filer, filter flange, or possibly oil cooler (if its equiped with one, I don't think Windstars are but I am a VW man, I hate working on domestic cars) sound like the cause.

[Monk06]

3. Sounds from the location that it's a broken or shrunken seal on your

oil filter. Replace the filter and then check
for leaks. If the leak is coming from the back
of the engine at the transmittion housing you
have a broken rear main seal at the crank shaft.

That would suck because the crank has to be
removed to replace the seal IIRC.

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9. Thanks

I will pick up a filter to see if it helps. It really sucks not having transportation for one reason, but to complicate with with another problem is completely aggravating.

[Haole Girl]

4. I'm not a mechanic, but hubby calls me his "assistant"...

...and from what I've heard...just for future reference....cars don't do well after they stay idle for long periods of time. That's why, hubby always reminds me to drive our oldest car around every so often.

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10. Yeah

I have a tendency not to drive a lot even when the car is working and registered. Just me--I don't travel much as a general point. But I guess now, if this works, I will have to take a spin around the "block" just to keep it going on a regular basis. Though with the price of gas, it might be a short block ride!

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. It can be hard enough to spot a leak source

when you're looking at it. Doing it via the internets is next to impossible.

You need to get under the van, wipe off the oil and then start it for just a second, then check again around the area it seems to be coming from. It'd help a lot if you did this with a partner — one to crank, one to look.

If the van hasn't been moved or touched in a month, I won't even hazard a guess as to the source of the leak.

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11. Thanks--

the guy next door said he would come by sometime this week to see if we can see the source of the leak. Since I'm essentially useless around cars, I can't really help myself. My sister is the one who has always gotten involved with mechanics--most of her boyfriends were great with cars.

[thefool_wa]

14. Also

If looking for a leak you can get special dye at the auto parts store that is black light reactive. Change the oil, dump it in, run the car, then put a black light under the hood.

Works like a charm.

[Floogeldy]

6. Best to just have it towed to a shop.

Some tow for free. Good luck.

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12. Problem is it's not currently

registered, so I have to wait until I get that accomplished. It's difficult when you're living on a fixed income, though, to dole out all the money for obligations on a regular basis.

[nedbal]

15. wait for the guy next door to look at it

the guy next door said he would come by sometime this week to see if we can see the source of the leak. Since I'm essentially useless around cars, I can't really help myself.

If you have to post for auto help to the lounge, chances are even with the most detailed directions of dozens here , you would still need a mechanic type to fix it