1992 Ford Tempo Leaking

Tiny
DONAVAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 FORD TEMPO
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 131,144 MILES
My mom had the car and drove about 100 miles a day to work and back, and about every 2-3 days we had to put a quart of oil in. Now she gave the car to me and I drive about 14 miles to school and back everyday and the oil is still at full and I havent put oil in for almost 2 weeks. But something is still leaking. Its a blackish color just like oil but doesnt quite spell like it. A mechanic told my mom it was an engine oil leak but I dont know? Any idea of what it may be
Sunday, May 30th, 2010 AT 3:25 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Yup! Most older cars leak oil to some degree! Yours sounds it's not a serious leakl. Ignore it unless it gets worse and causes you to add oil too freqently. But also older engines use some oil by burning it. Tempos typically leak from 3 sources. Engine crankshaft seals, valve cover seal, oil pan seal. You can try adding lucas oil stabilizer instead of a quart of oil and see if that slows it down. You can use a heavier viscosity oil also like plain 30w oil. Make sure it's NOT non detergent oil.

Forgot to mention it's black because your oil is probably somewhat dirty to start with and then while the leak is slowly seeping out it picks up more dirt before it drips to ground.
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
DONAVAN1
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  • 7 POSTS
Okay thanks, I really appreciate it, I was going to go through all the trouble cleaning the engine, and putting it on a lift and looking around to see if I can tell where its leaking from. But i'm deffinately going to look into putting either of those oils into it now. And yeah I kind of figured it was darker and dirtier due to dripping down other parts and getting dirt. Thanks again.
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 AT 5:42 PM
Tiny
DONAVAN1
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  • 7 POSTS
Oh yeah one other thing. We got the thermostat fixed but it still does not work after belle tire fixed it. But we never took it back. And I noticed that the fan never kicks on anymore and hasnt for a while. And the engine tends to stay very hot. Can the thermostat be the reason the fan does not come on or could it be a faulty fan?
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
OH YEAH, I forgot to mention, a hot engine is much more likely to leak faster! The oil viscosity breaks down as it overheats! And an engine without a working fan is gonna get hot and stay hot longer! The fan usually quits because the relay fails! Or the fan itself has worn/burnt out!E relay is locted near top of right hand side of radiator under the metal car crossmember by battery. The temp sensor is also suspect? Directly under throttle body intake rubber accordion, screwed into top of thermostat housing. To trigger fan to check circuit just remove plug and short plug contacts together. No go, then fan or relay or power to relay are suspect. If shorting plug contacts makes fan come on, then replace sensor! GET THAT FAN WORKING!
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Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
DONAVAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
A friends dad of mine, said he had a tempo the same year and said that there is a metal tube under the engine that rusts out over the years and starts to spill oil, do you know what the name of that tube is called? He told me I can only buy it from the dealership
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Saturday, June 5th, 2010 AT 6:14 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
He must be referring to the radiator transmission fluid lines! They go across under front of car and usually rust and drip!But it's not motor oil! There is a large metal pipe
that also can rust that carries anti freeze from bottom radiator hose to water pump. That is known to drip oil that actually comes from left side crank seal on timing chain cover/or oil pan. You could check oil pan bolts for tightness. Which area of car is dripping coming from? Right, left, center, front, rear of engine. Is the valve cover leaking up top? That can run down just about anyplace! I havn't seen a tempo that DONT have a leaking vale cover! It just a matter of how bad!
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Sunday, June 6th, 2010 AT 1:19 AM
Tiny
DONAVAN1
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I honestly dont know which side its coming from, if your looking at the engine its on the left side, not sure left or center. I'll have to put it on ramps and get under it this weekend and check. And the top of the oil pan or valve cover are dripping
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
DONAVAN1
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  • 7 POSTS
I meant they are not dripping as far as I know of
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Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 AT 8:41 PM

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