Oil leak near filter area

[mm_micar]

Just posted the question about the oil filter wrench(and thanks again for all the info.), but while I was under the car I noticed oil hanging off of one of the P/S lines. The area below the filter, the oil pressure sending unit, small allen head plug below the sending unit and even down on the bellows on the steering mechanism has an oil mist all over it. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem.
I am going to try to clean the area up tomorrow with some lacquer thinner and see if I can get a better idea of where it is coming from. I don't think it's anything serious but it makes a mess under the car when it blows back while you are driving. Any TSB's on a similar situation? I am not familiar with rack and pinion steering but is there any possibility that it could be P/S fluid coming out at that point?

[JACook]

Might this just be left-over from the last oil change?

Several of us here have installed the oil deflector that was added to the '05 Crown Vics. P/N 5W1Z-6N634-AA
It clips onto the power steering lines, and sits over the steering rack bellows. Without the deflector, oil spills
exactly where you describe whenever the filter is removed.

BTW, for cleanup, I like to use CRC Brakleen, red can. Available at your favorite FLAPS.

[Blackened300a]

Might this just be left-over from the last oil change? .

Exactly, I change my oil personally and the filter location is a PITA. I also get my rack covered in oil everytime I change the filter.
Consider this normal

[crouse]

BTW, for cleanup, I like to use CRC Brakleen, red can. Available at your favorite FLAPS.

The green can of Brakleen is more friendly to rubber parts.

[jgc61sr2002]

Exactly, I change my oil personally and the filter location is a PITA. I also get my rack covered in oil everytime I change the filter.
Consider this normal

Paul - Get the oil deflector as stated in the above post. ^^
It's an easy install and costs less than $10.00.
Works great.

[TheDealer]

There is a gasket between the oil filter housing and the block. They leak often, we sell a lot of them. Ray

[RedMerc04]

I have the exact same problem, and youre right it does make a hell of a mess. At first i thought it was the seal on the oil filter so i switched from motorcraft to K&N but it still leaks. Im pretty sure mine is definately comming from the filter area because my filter was coated on the bottom. Its been this way for a couple of months now and im out of warranty, I had taken it to the dealer twice to try to fix it and they failed at fixing it Twice (somehow got a new powersteering pump out of it tho because thats what the dealer thought it was and by the time i noticed the problem the fluid on the rack was so dirty i couldnt tell if it was oil or p/s fluid but now im 100% positive its oil). They are now convieniently out of business (go figure). I just keep an eye on my oil level (doesnt seem to be affected) but it is a PITA and I too would like to fix it for good. So how much are these gaskets? :cool4:

[TheDealer]

Ford Part Number F6AZ-6840-BA retails for $8.37. Make sure you get this part number as a Marauder is different than a Gr. Marquis.

[RedMerc04]

Many thanks!

[mm_micar]

The area where the filter housing bolts onto the block was the last area on my list, because according to the DVD I just bought(2004 Dealer Manual) on E-Bay, you are supposed to drain the block first before taking it off. Is this correct? Don't know what the block internal castings look like, but that seems a little strange. The Dealer, thanks for the part number on the gasket.