3.0L Ford/Mazda Oil Leak from water pump area

On older 3.0L Ford and Mazda motors there can be an oil leak coming from the back of the valve cover in the water pump area and pulley’s. It will look like a valve cover gasket or the seal on the cam pulley.

[@fabe202]

Thankyou - this was driving me crazy.

[@nclivin4220]

Thank you! I knew what was leaking but couldn't find a part number or description anywhere! KZbin needs a whole section just for this stuff honestly

[@LuwiigiMaster]

You are a godsend, sir, thank you for sharing the part numbers and showing what needs to be done for this pesky oil leak.

[@simonlukasik5115]

You're the man! Thanks for providing the part numbers. I am not sure if this or the timing cover is the one that drips onto the exhaust, but I'll start with this one.

[@andrewsal1521]

This definitely pointed me in the right direction 👍

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Awesome! I thought I was going crazy because I couldn’t spot the leak even after a smoke test. That’s the exact area I’m suspecting but the valve cover was clean and that cam seal looked good.

[@IconMaintenance]

I was just looking for an oil leak on an '08 Ford Escape with the 3.0L V6 today. This helps a lot. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this tip. :)

[@_iamoverrtyme]

Was that the problem

[@chrisrose2898]

Thanks for the video Brother!

[@TRG972]

Thanks for the video Joshua! Regarding that VCT seal shown at 1:02 ... The Ford part number is : 6E5Z-6C535-AB Usages: VCT Seal, 08/01/2005 - 02/04/2009, Fusion/Milan/Zephyr/MKZ, 3.0 DOHC EFI. If same engine, guessing it would fit the 3.0's in the Mazda's as well. Also, for folks looking for a tool for the water pump pulley , can use CTA tools puller kit p/n 8069. Even though it wasn't shown in the Amazon online picture, the kit I received also included the silver H- bar puller. The pulley came right off without any trouble.

[@jameswicmandy5998]

For 2011 Fusion 3.0L, Ford Part 9L8Z6B293A was the right part, comes with the cam seal and that strip seal that leaks. Thanks for the help!

[@luisfer1857]

Great video.

[@jamesalles139]

perfect, thanks!

[@hawnsman]

Thank you brother.

[@larrydavis4064]

Thanks. Have oil leaking near a new water pump. I suspect this is it.

[@jimmyj244820]

Thank you I have been trying to stop this leak on my freestyle 3.0 with 85000

[@passion830217]

Check the two bolts on the belt cover first. I had the leak on the same spot shown in the video. However, it was becase the two bolts were too lose that the leak was developed.

[@mannylumbres520]

Do u have a torque spec for those bolts? If not, do they need to be tight tight or just snug?

[@robintu8314]

Happened to me on a '08 Ford Fusion V6. Replaced the valve cover gasket, and it kept leaking. Had to redo the whole thing again to get to the camshaft oil seal retainer gasket

[@joshualymer6568]

Yeah it’s like a hidden gasket lol

[@rickvenlo1362]

Ace!

[@arifelassal2874]

Deff sent me in the right direction 3.0L 09 ford fusion

[@fabe202]

Can you make a video on this

[@mannylumbres520]

Do u have a torque spec for the 2 bolts that go on the seal housing? If not, do they need to be tight tight or just snug?

[@JeffWantsMoreMC]

Wow, thank you for this video! I've got an 04 Mazda 6 v6 and mine's gotten bad enough since my 09 Ford Fusion 3.0 engine swap that I've gotta replace all those seals. Any tips for how to replace that circular camshaft seal you didn't talk about in the video? I figured use a socket and hammer to tap it in and out of the casing, but was hoping I could get some input from the Mazda master mechanic himself :)

[@joshualymer6568]

Once it’s u bolted from the head and off the cam just tap it out with a hammer then tap the new one in with a block of wood and hammer

[@JeffWantsMoreMC]

@@joshualymer6568 Word, that sounds easy enough. I appreciate the tip boss!

[@Nick-bc2lm]

@@JeffWantsMoreMC did you do this job? im doing it on a 2011 ford escape. For me, the camshaft seal was glued in. Too deep into this. Ford dealer shows this bracket with new seal in stock. Going to try and find this Mazda part number... but so far its more than the whole bracket with new seal...

[@mannylumbres520]

Ill drive down there and pay you to do this. 💯 Serious.

[@joshualymer6568]

Come on

[@Way2EasyDIY]

Does that gasket go in dry or with rtv

[@KtothG]

ya think AT-205 would work on this, even though the parts bag says "gasket" not "seal" as u called it?

[@ChicagoMillingCo.]

How common is the lose cam shaft cap problem? I'm gonna do spark plugs soon and am wondering if it's worth the extra trouble to remove the valve covers to check the torque on the cam shaft bearing caps.

[@mannylumbres520]

Do u have the torque specs for the 2 bolts? Thanks

[@ChicagoMillingCo.]

@@mannylumbres520There's a video on youtube talking about it and has the torque spec.. Look up video for 3.0 duratec.

[@exception2]

What's the part number of the seal retainer? (The aluminum piece that holds the seal) I took my valve cover off and found this piece is PLASTIC. The shaft seal is GLUED to the retainer and not replaceable. I'd like to change to a metal retainer. It is 2011 Ford escape 3.0

[@joshualymer6568]

The metal is part of the head I don’t think you could order it separately just get those 2 seals and apply some silicone and get it good and clean you will be good to go

[@Nick-bc2lm]

I have exact same vehicle. I ordered a gasket kit... but just like you, glued in place. If your like me, and need a new bracket with new glued gasket.. part # is 9L8Z-6B293-A. Ford dealer and TASCA lists it around 45.00. Yours prolly has a different part number than what I listed, but its confirmed it will fit. This Mazda part # for one seal, is more than a new bracket. Ford let me down on this. Why make it a non - serviceable seal.

[@Nick-bc2lm]

@@joshualymer6568 Well for us Escape vehicle owners... that part you took off with the 2 seals looks exactly the same, but ours is plastic. And our camshaft seal is glued into the housing. Maybe Ford thought it would last the life of the engine. Mazda part # AJ57-10-190; AJ5710190A; ZZD2-10-190. But I cant pull up any real pictures of it.

[@Nick-bc2lm]

Working on this exact same issue on a 2011 ford escape with this bracket seal leaking at the bottom... But the camshaft seal is GLUED in the bracket. Just why Ford? I can buy a new seal for same price as whole bracket... it sux that the gasket "kit" came with the wrong seal. See if I can get this mazda one for cheap. This new bracket is 45 at ford, and new seal is going for 50-60. What a rip off.

[@paulb1802]

Torque specs for the bolts?

[@joshualymer6568]

100” pounds on valve cover and all the 8mm and 10mm drive bolts

[@rj8954]

What would be the cost to do this job at a shop?

[@joshualymer6568]

Around 2.5 labor hours that that shops rate plus parts

[@dirtysteve7866]

shooting an oil leak after shaft seals and valve cover garskets. this might be it......fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk

[@joshualymer6568]

It’s not to bad man you will get it if it’s leaking oil on the water pump I’m sure that’s you leak