Rear Seal Oil Leak

[BlueOvalFitter]

2006 Lincoln Town Car, 4.6 V8, 106K miles
This is my dads car. He has always had a rock driveway. He had a concrete driveway poured last week. After a few days parked on his new driveway he noticed an oil spot under the engine on the 'NEW' driveway.
He took it to the local Ford dealership (56 miles away) and they quoted him $450-$490 to replace the rear crank seal. He also asked some local garage guys. Some said to try a High Mileage oil. Some said it was too little of a leak and to leave it alone. And, one shop quoted him $525. He asked me about it and I suggested Valvoline MaxLife or Mobil 1 High Mileage. He wants to use 5W30 but I suggested 5W20.
The leak makes a spot about 3" in diameter. I checked his oil and it is near the full mark. The current OCI has just over 3K miles. Any opinions on my suggested High Mileage oils? Or, any other suggestions and opinions are really appreciated.

 

[SatinSilver]

Lets see, 106k miles and almost 8 yrs old. I'd start using Valvoline Maxlife and probably the 5w30. That $500 or so could go towards something that HAS to be fixed. Like an alternator, battery, tires etc...

If there's any trans issues the rear main can be done then. Or any major engine issues.

 

[chainblu]

I don't anything about the 4.6, but assuming it has a one-piece rear seal, you might try a shop that specializes in transmissions. Since that's pretty much all they do, they have the tools and equipment to drop that transmission right out of there... replacing the seal is then a 5 minute job.

Just a suggestion...

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: chainblu
I don't anything about the 4.6, but assuming it has a one-piece rear seal, you might try a shop that specializes in transmissions. Since that's pretty much all they do, they have the tools and equipment to drop that transmission right out of there... replacing the seal is then a 5 minute job.

Just a suggestion...

That's a great suggestion. I am going to talk with my dad and contact a few transmission shops.

BTW, it's really a money issue. He said he might just put a pan under the car.

 

[donnyj08]

5w20 or 5w30 max life from Walmart, either one will work fine in a 4.6. I'm a 5w20 fan in a modular, but either should work beautifully.

 

[JamesBond]

What part of the country is the car in?

If it were mine, I would switch to a High Mileage oil, go up to 5w30 or both and check the PCV. No way would I drop >$500 before trying other solutions first.

I've run my 2000 Town Car on 5w-20 and 5w30 and it made no noticeable difference in starting, operation or MPG.

This is anecdotal but, I had another car that would sometimes make an oil spot from the rear seal but after an oil change with regular Pennzoil Yellow in the same grade (5w30) it went away.

Also, if this Town Car is driven like mine and most other Town Cars (slow) I'd say it could also benefit from an Italian tune-up. It could help to get the oil good and hot, and clean up valve and ring deposits. Mine always runs smooth and quiet, but this seems to help improve power and reduce pinging on the highway.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: JamesBond
What part of the country is the car in?

If it were mine, I would switch to a High Mileage oil, go up to 5w30 or both and check the PCV. No way would I drop >$500 before trying other solutions first.

I've run my 2000 Town Car on 5w-20 and 5w30 and it made no noticeable difference in starting, operation or MPG.

This is anecdotal but, I had another car that would sometimes make an oil spot from the rear seal but after an oil change with regular Pennzoil Yellow in the same grade (5w30) it went away.

Also, if this Town Car is driven like mine and most other Town Cars (slow) I'd say it could also benefit from an Italian tune-up. It could help to get the oil good and hot, and clean up valve and ring deposits. Mine always runs smooth and quiet, but this seems to help improve power and reduce pinging on the highway.

We're in CENLA-AKA-Central Louisiana.
My cousin usually changes his oil using ANY 5W20 that is on sale with a MC filter. Right now it has Havoline in it. And, his racing days are over. He's 74 years old and drives kind of slow.

 

[KCJeep]

Maxlife 5w30 with some MoS2 would be my suggestion.

 

[bigt61]

5w30 or 10w30 MaxLife red bottle seems to be most effective in the few cases I've personally seen. Slowed down a RMS leak in a Camry noticeably and it was still improving last time I talked to the guy. My sons '02 Neon used Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 and it did nothing for his RMS leak - even after more than a year and a couple of long OCIs. Try the MaxLife before you spend any money.

 

[fdcg27]

For five bills, I'd live with a little leaking.
Try Maxlife.
I knew of an old Mercedes diesel that would leak out of the rear main seal like a sieve at idle, but the leak seemed to go away with some revs.
So, my advise would be to tell your father to avoid idling the car in the driveway and to give Maxlife a try.

 

[tommygunn]

Maxlife is good stuff.

If there is a Napa near you, they have Motor Oil Saver for $5.99 a can. Lubur Moly makes great stuff, and their stop leak should be no exception

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
He wants to use 5W30 but I suggested 5W20.



Yeah, make it leak out faster.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
He wants to use 5W30 but I suggested 5W20.



Yeah, make it leak out faster.

With statements like that you will have the BITOG 5W20 POLICE on you like white on rice!

 

[KCJeep]

The 5w30 is more-er betterer.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

UPDATE!
A few days after posting this my dad had his oil changed. He was going to try the VML 5W30 but that was side tracked. A new mom and pop oil change shop opened up near where we live and they were advertising a $15.99 oil change special. It was up to 6 qts. of bulk Pennzoil Conventional 5w30 oil, a ProSelect filter, and vacuum the interior. Disposal fees and tax put the total at $20.81.
I went over to my dads house this morning and noticed the engine was not leaking oil anymore. He picked a new spot on his driveway to park and there is no oil drips on the concrete. My cousin drove it up on some ramps and said the underneath shows no signs of seeping or oil drips.
I want to think the thicker 5W30 oil has now sealed a leak but we all know the planets would have to be lined up perfectly for that to happen. Opinions?

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
UPDATE!

I want to think the thicker 5W30 oil has now sealed a leak but we all know the planets would have to be lined up perfectly for that to happen. Opinions?

That's exactly what I think...

Are you sure there wasn't some spilled oil that was causing the previous leak???

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
UPDATE!

I want to think the thicker 5W30 oil has now sealed a leak but we all know the planets would have to be lined up perfectly for that to happen. Opinions?

That's exactly what I think...

Are you sure there wasn't some spilled oil that was causing the previous leak???

If it takes spilled oil almost 4 months to make it's way down to cause a drip then......
No, it definitely had a leak. But, miraculously, there is no more leak! I even asked my dad if he added some kind of leak fix and he said no.
I don't know. This has me scratching my head.

 

[Merkava_4]

If you notice those cars in the junk yard all sludged up with Pennzoil, none of them have any leaks.