Oil leaks and gasket questions.

[Don Poppito]

2005 Mustang GT 5 Spd Manual Transmission.

Posted here a while ago about this with a few other issues. Good thing is i use a work van during the week and only put maybe 20 miles on this on the weekend mainly because of said issues.

I know i have a valve cover gasket thats bad, also the timing chain gasket. Main issue is the the oil pan gasket but the plug is spinning inside the oil pan. So pan is most likely stripped and even had a mechanic friend come try and get it out with no luck and he confirmed that the pan needs to be replaced or re-tapped. Another issue is the pan is nowhere to be found. Ford is out of stock and cant find any.

So moving forward i tried to get the oil changed through the dip stick but their pump was about 2 inches too short but they did me a free be and replaced my oil filter and added new oil free of charge. But i still need to replace the pan gasket. Looking at it with my mechanic friend we both agree it should not need the engine to be lifted but a pdf i have specifically states you need to lift the engine with an engine lift.

Does anyone know for a fact if i will need to have the engine lifted if even a couple inches to remove the lower oil pan? Also a question that may coencide with this one. Had my oil pressure tested when i first bought the car. No issues. Have also read about leak down tests to see how good the engine seals are. Question is if i do a leak down test with these known issues is it even worth it? Should i wait or go ahead and have one done?

Thanks for any help!

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

The short version of your post..
will need to have the engine lifted if even a couple inches to remove the lower oil pan?
My guess would be yes to clear both the crank and oil pickup.
If you get a drawing of the engine assembly (specificly the lower half) it will show what possible obstructions are in the way.
Question is if i do a leak down test with these known issues is it even worth it? Should i wait or go ahead and have one done?
A leak down test shows how well each cylinder is sealed up @ TDC
Valves and valve seats, rings (blow by), head gaskets.
faulty valve cover gasket(s), oil pan gaskets or stripped drain plug would change the results.

[Author]

Replies