Hi All. I love this Forum. I just joined in October when I got my 01 EXT cab Ranger. Going under it today I found a leak. I have never seen this part of an engine before. Could you guys please help me figure out what is going on? It hasn't changed in driving any. Here are a few pictures. The one that is lite with a bright light and oozing is it. The fluid looks like water. Between 2 fingers you can tell its lub of some sort. There isn't a smell to it. If you guys wouldn't mind helping me out. Thank you.
Jim

First picture under front bumper. Next bottom of serpintine belt. Next part in question. Next another of the part in question. Thank you.

 

Anti freeze most likely.
Time for a new water pump perhaps.
See if the weep hole in the water pump is wet.

 

Thank you

 

Hi Everybody.

If the above happens to you. It is part of the oil pan. That is also the crank case. The repair to fix it is hard. You need to remove the engine. This is all attached. Then open that case up and pull out this huge gasket. Covers almost the entire insides. Replace that. This is what a Firestone tech told me after looking at it. He told me I can do nothing. Just check oil to make sure I have enough and I will be good. So I may leak some oil. That's ok.

I wanted to put this out there for all to read. Because I see a lot of nice Rangers in here. You guys customize them so cool. For me this is my first truck. I see several years of use by the condition of the frame. With the way it drives as well. So an oil leak from a place like this is fine for me. I know you guys take engines out and put new ones in. So that would fix this issue also.

Since this forum has answered questions for me. Just by looking it up. I wanted to make this post complete. That way others that get this issue can find the answer. This place is the greatest. You guys make me happy about my Ranger. Really you guys RULE! I'm happy to be part of the group.

Ranger's ruff , tuff and rule!!

 

I'm just going by what you said "the fluid looks like water", if it was in fact an oil leak coming from the oil pan gasket, then it would be the colour and consistency of oil.

Here's a simple test, touch it with the tip of your finger so you have a very small amount on it.
Just touch the end of your tongue now with your finger and if it tastes sweet, then it's antifreeze.
Spit this out right away and rinse your mouth out with water and spit that out.

If it is in fact an oil leak, then yes, you pretty much have to take the engine out to get the pan off.
It's a royal PITA !

 

@Jeff R 1: I thought the manufacturers quit making antifreeze sweet to discourage animals (and small humans) from drinking it.

 

I'll have to check on that, the last time I did this test (can't remember when) it was sweet.
Maybe in Canada, they didn't bother.

 

Yesterday when I checked it a few times and looked farther back on the part. It is oil. The tech had pulled a little more of the white rubber out and wiped it clean. It was oil collecting there. This leak has yet to hit ground it is so slow. I know I said clear. Sorry about that. When I pulled the oil dip out. I noticed it was also not real low but not on full. Touching that. Same consistancey. The oil in it right now is real light and thin. The dealer put that in. Going to change in January. It might be full synthetic oil.

Then I went to the next thing connected to all this. It was the oil holder container. Spot with the nut you unscrew to let the oil out. This area also had some oil on it. Not leaking from it. I wiped it down real good. I then looked up. Saw that this container held more than just oil like the tech described. He said buy MAX oil to put in it as it goes down. Understanding thickness in oil it would make sense to put thicker oil in for less leaks. More than likely will put 10W 30 in it. I know the cap says something much thinner.

Since I'm disabled and can't work. This is a grocery getter or just riding around type truck. Most important trip is to a doctor appointment. Even then the wife drives me most of the time. In her car. It is mostly a fun truck. Since I spend time just sitting in it. Now its more of a man cave as well. That worn out seat puts me to sleep after a while.

I'm going to watch oil levels more. Get a bottle of oil to keep with me and a funnel. On long trips I will check more often. I might get one of those jumbo sized oil bottles. Just have it sit behind the driver seat for easy access.

Thank you all

 

If the oil isn't leaking fast enough to drip to the ground, that is one VERY slow leak. I would suggest checking that the oil pan bolts are snug (don't over-tighten). Also, if it is that slow, keeping a single quart of oil in the cab would be sufficient. I see you posted that you are disabled. Not knowing the type or extent of your disability, I would suggest asking a friend or family member to check the oil pan bolts for you. BTW, if you have some pics, you should post them. I would love to see your ride!

 

MHoward

Thank you very much. Yes the leak really isn't anything. It did cover the nuts on the oil pan that has the drain. I should wipe the nuts and see how they look. Yes I am disabled. It slows me down. Chronic pain and dizziness. Vertigo. Chronic Migraines. Fibromyalga. Meniere's Disease. Depression. Anxiety. Rage some call it PTSD. I have been working on the fog lights for several weeks now. With my issues is why I took it to Firestone. I wanted to see how bad it is. Things that really effect me are grocery stores with all the colors moving the people and stuff on the shelves. I can't even go if its busy. So happy to have a loving wife. Visiting family is hard when there is lots of people moving. Flouresent lights get me dizzy. My brain sees the strobe of that light we don't see. Under the Ranger is nice. It is high enough to take my time and a break as well. It doesn't even start my clostrophobia. I do love just laying and staring at the parts. I know that sounds weird. The rust is low compared with the age and mileage. That always amazes me. I will check the bolts on the oil pan next nice day. It seems snug just looking at it. I have yet to find a loose nut. Busting some nuts on the crazy exhuast had to be grinded off by somebody. Rust seems to be my lock tight. The bolt you unscrew to get the oil out is really nice looking. Same with the oil container. After rubbing it down it was shiny. I do have a nephew that is a diesel mechanic. He will get to see it on the saturday after thanksgiving. He has told me to get away from SUV's for a while. I see why now. I think thicker oil might stop the leak. Thank you so much. This forum has helped so much. It made me want to go under truck. I've never been under any of my vehicles this much. A few I was never under. I will attach some pictures. I love the blue. I tinted all windows except the windshield. I can do a 70 percent on the windshield legal in my state. Just would be a waste of time for so light a tint. I put 35 on driver and passenger. I put 5 on the back windows over the colored glass. It was way to light for me.
Thank you again
Jim

 

Your truck looks great! I also love the blue. I had a 2001 Edge in black and when I was looking for another Ranger years later, I planned on finding another black one, but the blue caught my eye and I bought my 2003 Edge. My son (TheArcticWolf1911) has a Harvest Gold 1999 XLT.

It is good, and I am glad, that your Ranger gives you peace and comfort from your PTSD. As you have found out, a man can become one with his truck and just being around it can be satisfying and stress relieving.

 

Mhoward

Thank you so much. I do like the harvest gold. The creativity in the name. It puts you down on the range in your mind. I think that pun was intended by Ford. Really cool. Yes it is fun to be highier off the ground. Very fun not to need a jack. There was a few times all of me was under it and still comfortable. I like your locking bed cover. If I got o ne of those. I would get those portable gas holders. I saw the 60 Gallon one. To have that full and a tank full. Limitless possibilities on places to go.

So by your sig. I'm guessing the blue is Sonic Blue Pearl. Makes me think of the video game sonic the hedge hog. What is the difference in the Edge Ranger?

Very nice pair you have there.

 

Yes, mine is Sonic Blue Pearl, the other one is my son's. I love my bed cover, but is does cause some issues if you need to haul something tall (that is rare for me though). The Edge is an oddball trim level. It comes with color-matched bumpers, the Edge graphic, vinyl floor mat and has the same suspension as the 4x4, even when 4x2 like mine. As you can see from the pics, I have added chrome bumpers, removed the Edge graphic and replaced it with chrome lettering. Something I did after these pics were taken was converted to a 3-bulb tail light system and installed 1999 tail light lenses. I have new carpet for it, but changed my mind about installing it as the vinyl flooring is just too easy to maintain. Thank you for the compliment... glad you like our rides!

 

Mhoward

My first Ford is growing on me. I can see it lasting a longer time than I ever thought. The lack of frame rust blows my mind. I looked at a lot of trucks before I found the right Ranger. I have seen a lot of rusty trucks and unsafe frames. Never thought a 2001 truck could be so nice. It was made the year I got married. That I also found funny when I saw the year of it. Thank you for the Edge info. Always thought it was something special under the hood. Having that 4X4 suspension is great. The solid tank drive. I drove full size trucks that I could feel the frame bend as I pulled into a drive. Yet this truck. It is like the ride of a new truck. I did sell the F150's and Rangers a few years ago. Both Ranger and F150's frames are just crazy solid. I love it. You guys are cool.