ST220 Oil Leak from Oil Cooler Seal

[Mark Ogram]

Hi All,



I had my car serviced a couple of weeks ago and since then, have an oil leak from the oil filter area. The oil is dripping onto the exhaust downpipe so there is a strong smell of burning oil.

Took the car back to the garage and they changed the oil filter. Still leaking, so I took it back again yesterday and they think it is leaking from behind the oil cooler. There is a rubber "o" ring between the oil cooler and cylinder block. Has anyone else ever had this problem ?



Thanks in advance.

Mark.

[timrud]

Its an old ford, Mondeos were never of the highest quality.

Oil leak doesn't seem very surprising

[Mark Ogram]

Agreed, it's a Ford Mondeo, but, with the very best engine they ever put in one.
My initial question was:-
Has anyone had a problem with an oil leak from the seal between the oil cooler and cylinder block
Cheers.
Mark.

[Olas]

I would be very tempted to go to Halfords and buy a can of brake cleaner to clean up the leak, dry it off, dust it with talcum powder and watch it idling.
The talc will make the leak very obvious and a mirror can help you see behind/under stuff.
Re; the O-ring sealing the cooler assy. to the block, I’ve never seen one leak with my own eyes but if you pull it out you will see if it’s damaged or not, replacements are only pennies, you just need an hour

[Mark Ogram]

Thanks Olas,
I will order a new seal ("o" ring) and try to sort out myself, trouble is , I have a TR6 in the garage I am working on. Just need some dry weather so I can swap them round.
Cheers.
Mark.

[Demelitia]

Mark Ogram said:

Agreed, it's a Ford Mondeo, but, with the very best engine they ever put in one.
My initial question was:-
Has anyone had a problem with an oil leak from the seal between the oil cooler and cylinder block
Cheers.
Mark.

He’s got a bit of a bee in his bonnet about Fords. Mondeos in particular, along with their drivers really seem to irk him; he never misses a chance to make a snide remark.

How have you found the reliability of the car overall, outside of this hiccup? I keep finding myself on Autotrader when they get mentioned.

[Olas]

Mark Ogram said:

Thanks Olas,
I will order a new seal ("o" ring) and try to sort out myself, trouble is , I have a TR6 in the garage I am working on. Just need some dry weather so I can swap them round.
Cheers.
Mark.

smear a good dollop of instant gasket around the suspected leak to slow it down and reduce the burning smell until you get chance to swap it.
or be a man and wear a waterproof jacket while you work

[tapkaJohnD]

Clearly, a proper repair is needed. But are the cans of stuff to stop oil leaks - EG Wynns "Engine Stop Leak" - any good?

John

[Mark Ogram]

Demelitia said:

He’s got a bit of a bee in his bonnet about Fords. Mondeos in particular, along with their drivers really seem to irk him; he never misses a chance to make a snide remark.

How have you found the reliability of the car overall, outside of this hiccup? I keep finding myself on Autotrader when they get mentioned.

I have had the car from new (2004) loved it when I got it, still love it now. Never had any problems until now, always sailed through MOT's - just took it to the wrong place this time for a service.

[Mark Ogram]

Olas said:

smear a good dollop of instant gasket around the suspected leak to slow it down and reduce the burning smell until you get chance to swap it.
or be a man and wear a waterproof jacket while you work

Had the RAC out today, the guy removed the oil filter, took off the seal from the top of the filter, reversed it, and now only a tiny leak. Will replace shortly with a genuine Ford filter. The one fitted was a MAN filter.

[Mark Ogram]

tapkaJohnD said:

Clearly, a proper repair is needed. But are the cans of stuff to stop oil leaks - EG Wynns "Engine Stop Leak" - any good?

John

Hi John,
The leak was too much for a "leak stop" to cure it. I would never use one anyway * don't trust them.