Oil Leak, Oil Pan or Crankshaft seals? 2002 Windstar

I have a 2002 Windstar with 72,000 miles.

I have been noticing over the past year a progressing oil leak at the rear of the oil pan when I have been changing my oil. I have cleaned it off each time to get an idea of how fast it is progressing. It still is not to the point where it will leak on the ground, it takes almost the entire oil change period to leak enough to get the pan wet down to the drain plug. This oil change period, though, I have been noticing some oil burning odors, and found that I have a leak at the front of the oil pan. The leak is following the pan and then it appears burning a bit on the exhaust as it passes under the front of the pan. To me, it appears on both ends of the pan it could be the half-rounds of the gasket as they seal to the engine, or it could be the crankshaft
seals.

Has anyone had leakage on either their oil pan or crankshaft seals?

Anyone with thoughts on which one is more likely to leak?

How easy is it to replace the front crank seal? It appears that the crank damper should be able to be removed without pulling the engine, but is that the case?

Any thoughts on this would be great. Thanks!

It'd have to get very bad before I would attempt to fix.

If you tried to fix in place, there is a chance of scarring the crank or damaging the seal journal ... just not much room. I would want to remove the front cover to replace the seal ... and this is made into a big job simply by the close quarters you have to work with. I've done it ... it wasn't pretty.

Now if you ever see a coolant leak.... that's a different matter that requires prompt action.

Does it look like it's coming from the rear main seal or FMS? I've had very slight seepage from the RMS on my 2001 since I bought it 4yrs ago. Like yours, it just makes the pan a little oily by the belly of the bellhousing. Never a drop dripped. I'm at ~83Kmi. I have a tiny bit of wetness from the cast aluminum timing chain cover too.:banghead:, but that could be from the power steering system that's been torn into a few times. Like 12Oz says, as long as it's just motor oil and it's not dripping, leave it alone.

Joel

Well, the leaks are coming from both ends. It is not leaking enough to cover the entire pan, the pan is still dry in the middle. The RMS has been leaking the longest, and like you said, is pretty slow and hasn't dripped nary a drop. The front is different now though. It wasn't leaking before, and now it is leaking enough that it has wet half the pan and it may be burning a bit on the exh. My thought was that the front seal was starting to leak, but it could be the oil pan gasket, as the sealing surface is not in one plane, it has half rounds on the front and back ends of the oil pan. These are weak points in a gasket, so that is why I was wondering if anyone had any issues with the pan gasket too.

I don't know if I've ever heard of a front seal leak or an oil pan leak. Timing chain cover leaks are common. Maybe give your PCV valve and line a good carb spray cleaning. Keeping your crankcase pressure as low as possible will help minimize leaks.

Joel