Leak Question on an '02

[Donny]

First of all forgive me if I posed this in the wrong place, but 3rd gen seemed the most appropriate.

Also I did a search beforehand that didn't really give me anything useful.

I have a 2002 lx and I noticed a large puddle of what looked like gas on my driveway today around where the front of my car was parked.

So I propped the hood, I first noticed that there was a fine film of oil all those plastic pieces towards the radiator - So I figured the oil cap hadn't been tightened enough. When I took the oil cap off about only half of the tank was filled with oil and the components inside were only about 3/4 submerged - I'm not sure if this is normal? Also I noticed a small pool of oil below the engine sitting in a recess on a cast part. Finally I checked the oil and the dipstick said it was full.

Any suggestions?

Well as you can probably tell, I'm not as knowledgable as I would like to be when it comes to cars, so any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Pro03]

What exactly do you mean by: "When I took the oil cap off about only half of the tank was filled with oil and the components inside were only about 3/4 submerged - I'm not sure if this is normal?"

If you're saying you looked down inside the valve cover and it was half full then you're engine is extremely over-filled with oil! If you look in your owner's manual (hopefully it came with the car) and look up the section about changing the oil then you can see where the oil cap is located. I believe the engine takes something like 3.7 qts. of oil. Check it out and see.

[Matthew]

you are correct about the amount of oil the car takes pro03. i dont have a picture of my valve cover off, but i assure you if it is half full there is way too much oil.

did you check the oil level? what could have happened is the oil was overfilled and it is blowing out somewhere because there is simply too much. you could have blown your dipstick and evacced your oil all over the place. i dont know if these cars do that, but i know on the military trucks if you overfill thats what happens.

hope thsi helps.

[Donny]

The cap I removed was the one with the oil symbol on the top of the engine. When I looked inside I could see that it was about half filled with oil the the compnent inside (the cam?) was partly visable through it, but mostly under the oil.

I also checked the dipstick yesterday and it was more than full, I checked again today after driving back from school and again it was more than full.

I really appreciate the help guys and your patience with my lack of knowledge. Spray resulting from too much oil seems like a good explaination. that would explain why there is a fine mist everywhere, why I can't find evidence of any obvious leaks, and a pool of oil in the recesses.

Thanks

[Matthew]

well drain about 1/4-1/2 qt and see where you stand

[03promaz]

If its that overfull i drain it all and put 3.7 qts in. Who changed your oil last.

[Donny]

Ok that's a fix I can deal with. I had intended on getting the oil changed next week anyway, so hopefully it will just be an overfill issue and this problem will be fixed. I'll let you guys know what happens.

I suspect the Ford dealership I purchased it from changed the oil last when they recieved the car as a trade in. I got it with about 22,000 miles on it and now it's up to 24,100.

Thanks.

[Pro03]

I'd take it back to the Ford dealer you got it from. The owner's manual has a warning about how operating the engine with oil above the full mark may damage the engine. I wouldn't keep driving it until you've drained and refilled the correct amount. Just my .02 cents. Good luck.