1990 Lincoln Continental OIL PUMP FAILURE

TEXACA

MEMBER
1990 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
207,000 MILES

HELLO
My is in regards to a 1990 Lincoln Continental FWD, with a 3.8L v6 232-cid engine, its is a Canadian Essex engine. It is the standard engine that was installed in ALL Taurus, Mercury Sables, Lincoln Continentals, and Ford Windstar minivans.
I just changed the oil, a new oil filter, and after I started the vehicle, Oil started to be sprayed all over the front of the engine, all over the serpentine belts and pulleys. I am not sure if the oil pump has failed or a seal, on the combined oil/water pump housing that is in front of the engine. I have not been able to find any diagrams, or anyone else who has experienced this un-familiar problem.
I would certainly appreciate some feedback, I am on fixed income, and cannot afford costly repairs, but I am very mechanical, and I can usually accomplish complex repairs on auto engines.
---Thank You, Alfredo Alaniz

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Have a look at the old filter, is the rubber gasket still there? If not, it's probably on the block still, remove the new filter, remove the old seal, reinstall the filter.

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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 AT 4:30 PM

TEXACA

MEMBER
34 POSTS

Yep."You hit the nail on the head". The gasket on the old oil filter had come off, and was perfectly stuck in place. It was not visible from undernearth the vehicle, until I removed the replacement filter I had installed last thursday. Upon inspection, I realized that something was not right with the "New" filter I had removed to inspect. It had two gaskets on it, which is really strange, thats the first time I had experienced this problem. I've done hundreds of oil changed in over twenty years, and this is the first time I have ever seen this situation.
Thanx again for you feedback. All is Ok, so far.
---- Alfredo