2001 Windstar Oil Usage

I have a 2001 Windstar with 82,000 miles. In recent months I have notced it has begun to use oil. Somewhere around a quart every 500 - 750 miles. I can not see any large oil leaks, there is some oil on the bottom of the pan which looks like it may be from the front seal, but it doesn't seem like enough to cause this much use. I have not noticed any smoking, the tailpipe is somewhat black however.

Any thoughts that anyone may have would be appreciated.

Thanks

That's a good bit of oil leakage.

The front engine cover would be my first guess.

If fact, mine is leaking on my '99. So far, I just have coolant leaking to the outside ... but it ain't gonna heal itself, so I'm gambling a bit not to have already replaced it. Not a really fun job.

Question I have...do you smell oil being burned on the exhaust?...another indicator of substantial oil leak. But, the front seal leak might not be throwing the oil onto the exhaust. I would think if you were burning oil internally...a quart every 500 miles...you would see it out the tailpipe.

Thanks for the insight. I have not noticed any smell from the exhaust pipe, my previous experience with burning oil have been quite noticable in the exhaust. If that is the case, any thoughts on the cause at 82,000 miles.

Thanks