LarryTucAZ
New member
I just noticed an oil leak in our 1997 Ford Aerostar, at the same time the oil pressure gauge was full-blast on low. I noticed because there was a lot of smoke coming from underneath, presumably from the leaking oil hitting hot parts & smoking.
I didn't hear any engine "clanking" noises, even so I added a quart & the gauge zoomed back into the mid-range. However there was a puddle of oil on the concrete underneath.
Trouble is, we're about 3 hours from home on a trip. As best as you can answer without seeing it directly, what are the odds that the leak is a minor one that we can easily hobble our way home, versus it being a huge one that will demand some sort of intervention right away (on a Sunday) before we can even leave?
LRH
I just took it for a spin, having added only the 1 quart. About 10 minutes away, and 10 minutes back--about 50mph or so, and the gauge still reads as high as it did (about 60% of the way towards the right). It looks like just MAYBE the leak isn't that bad, it sure looked as if it was as much smoke as there was coming from underneath and how there was a good-sized puddle at the parking lot where we bought & added more oil AND another decent-sized puddle at the hotel's parking lot. I parked it in a new place at the hotel so if anymore leaks overnight I'll see the difference, if that matters.
I didn't hear any engine "clanking" noises, even so I added a quart & the gauge zoomed back into the mid-range. However there was a puddle of oil on the concrete underneath.
Trouble is, we're about 3 hours from home on a trip. As best as you can answer without seeing it directly, what are the odds that the leak is a minor one that we can easily hobble our way home, versus it being a huge one that will demand some sort of intervention right away (on a Sunday) before we can even leave?
LRH
I just took it for a spin, having added only the 1 quart. About 10 minutes away, and 10 minutes back--about 50mph or so, and the gauge still reads as high as it did (about 60% of the way towards the right). It looks like just MAYBE the leak isn't that bad, it sure looked as if it was as much smoke as there was coming from underneath and how there was a good-sized puddle at the parking lot where we bought & added more oil AND another decent-sized puddle at the hotel's parking lot. I parked it in a new place at the hotel so if anymore leaks overnight I'll see the difference, if that matters.