Oil Leak

[Mats]

I've got a '96 Powerstroke with 305,000 miles on it. It runs great but I've got a nagging oil leak. I only notice it when I change my oil and see oil on the back of the oil pan and when I park on a hill with the rear end lower than the front.

I've read that it is rarely the rear main and that it is usually the HPOP or turbo pedestal O-rings. They say the valley fills up with oil and drains off the back making it appear to be the rear main seal. That makes sense because I only see a drip when I'm parked on a hill.

OK. So I cleaned out the valley a month ago and just noticed a drip or two on the pavement. I looked in the valley and don't see a pool of oil. I do see a bit under the fuel filter area but the back of the valley by the turbo is dry as a bone.

When they say "it pools in the valley then drains off the back" are they saying that it would be a big puddle - near the turbo (back of the valley) or is there some way for it to drain from the area near the front (under the fuel filter)?

I've taken some photos to illustrate.

This area towards the rear of the valley is dry -



This area under the fuel filter does have some oil. It's moist but not a puddle 1/8" deep. -

[250turbo]

oil or fuel? check plugs on back of heads




kurt

[Mats]

oil or fuel? check plugs on back of heads

By the time it drips off the bell housing at the bottom it doesn't smell like fuel. But it doesn't really have the slippery feel of oil. Now that I think about it, it could very well be fuel - and picking up dirt & grime on the way down the back of the engine.

Someone else mentioned the two plugs on the rear of the heads - Here.

Kurt, could you be more specific about where these plugs are? Are you talking about under the fuel filter?

Before I took those photos I cleaned the valley very well near the turbo. I think I need to do the same under the fuel filter - where it is moist.

thanks.

[250turbo]

ea. head has 2 plugs on oil rail ,front &back. on back head,look between head & firewall.

kurt