2000 Ford Focus ZX3 Zetec DOHC Engine Oil Leak

[gello88]

This has been known for a while for my car, but we cannot seem to find the source of the leak. We know that the leak comes from behind the engine block, at the passenger side. My brother looked at the bottom and saw that the highest point at which the oil seems to be leaking is at the oil pan area. Could it be that the gasket needs replacing? He also mentioned that there is an aluminum section that is part of the oil pan that could be cracked we don't know for sure. (I'm not very good with car parts). Can anyone give me suggestions as to where this leak could be coming from? As I said, so far our theory is the oil pan, gasket, and/or the aluminum part above the oil pan. Thank you.

[Sponsor]

[BC_ZX3]

Originally Posted by gello88

We know that the leak comes from behind the engine block, at the passenger side.

Start simple: The oil filter and oil pressure warning light sensor are in this area. Before you start pulling anything apart, I'd ensure your oil filter is tightened properly and has a serviceable gasket. The gasket should be changed out during each oil filter change. Oil from the filter can dribble down to the pan.
To properly trace the source of any oil leak, clean and degrease the affected area and then look for the tell tale oil tracks.

[gello88]

Originally Posted by BC_ZX3

Start simple: The oil filter and oil pressure warning light sensor are in this area. Before you start pulling anything apart, I'd ensure your oil filter is tightened properly and has a serviceable gasket. The gasket should be changed out during each oil filter change. Oil from the filter can dribble down to the pan.
To properly trace the source of any oil leak, clean and degrease the affected area and then look for the tell tale oil tracks.

We replace the oil filter with a new one every oil change so the oil filter should not be the problem. Is there a gasket surrounding the place that the oil filter connects to or is the gasket built in on the oil filter?

[BC_ZX3]

The oil filter should come with a circular, thick rubber gasket that fits snugly in a groove. However, the mating surface between that gasket and the oil filter housing should be checked for smoothness.
(I have also seen instances where the old gasket was not removed by mistake (two gaskets stacked on each other) but they tend to leak violently when under running pressure. )
If the oil filter is correctly installed and tightened, have a look at the pressure switch near it (about level with the top of the filter, more towards center of car.)

[amc49]

I had a leak described exactly as yours, it turned out to be the pressure switch.

[PRSman25]

If your oil filter was double gasketed, your car would have bled out and died by now.
VERY prevalent and violent leak.

[gello88]

Originally Posted by amc49

I had a leak described exactly as yours, it turned out to be the pressure switch.

Oh okay, I'll have that checked as well. What about the oil drain plug? My brother said it has a gasket attached to it and he said it should be replaced every oil change. We haven't replaced the gasket in a while now, maybe start with that?

[grayzx35speed]

If the oil drain plug was the issue ykur oil.leak would be right in sight and coming from the lower part of the pan where the drain plug is, not higher up on the pan.

[PRSman25]

Check the pressure switch!!!

And if that's not the case, take it to get an oil change and make sure they change the drain plug gasket.
Afterwards, clean everything that is oily, drive it about, and check for a leak or drip!

[gello88]

Will check the pressure switch, seems to be located near where the leak is coming from. We just got an oil change (synthetic oil for the win!) but didn't replace the gasket, will replace it in next oil change for sure (or just get a whole new drain plug from ford to have a new start then just get new gaskets after that). I don't trust the parts in this car as we got it used a few years ago so any "new" problem that arises, we don't try to just replace gasket, we try to replace the whole related part ...