Oil on the garage floor...

[GoBlueGT350]

Frustrated, mostly with myself to be honest. Picked up my GT350 at end of December, a few weeks ago with it finally being warm enough consistently I took it in to a local Ford Dealer w/ good service reviews (Bill Brown if you're in the area) and had an oil change done. I did this for two reasons, one was to switch over to Amsoil and while the car only had 6200 miles it wasn't exactly clear how long ago the last service was done, sticker indicated late 2019 so I figured better safe than sorry. I made sure the service department was aware it was a GT350 and that I had brought my own oil but I didn't ask if they were aware of the torque specs of the filter since it's a '16.

After the change was done I smelled a little oil after the first drive home but figured they must've spilled some. I check the oil level after each tank of gas once I get back home (wait 15 min, etc) and hadn't noticed any drop in the level. Then today after having had the car out throughout the week I noticed that there was a fresh oil spot on the floor, probably about 6 in in diameter, clean/fresh oil for sure. The level is still between the two dots but is now lower than it was when I checked a week ago. I got out a light (no lift or ramps) and can see oil accumulated on the under tray.

My assumption (dangerous I know) is that the dealership incorrectly torqued the oil filter and as I've been driving the car more it's started to work it's way off. Other obvious causes could include the oil lines as I don't know if the recall was done, or I guess something more serious. I should not have assumed the service tech would know the procedure and I'm kicking myself for not being more detailed about it.

Question for the group:
I'm going to call the dealer that did the oil change first thing in the AM to see if they will be able to look at the car, but it's about 15 miles from here, is it beyond stupid to drive the car at this point? I have a pinch weld adapter and jack/jack stands at home, I'm happy to take a look but also didn't want to do anything that the dealer could pass off on me if that makes sense.

Have been absolutely loving getting to know the car and have been beyond impressed with it thus far, absolutely gutted that this happened and obviously want to get it addressed ASAP. Any input on how you'd proceed?

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[CJJon]

I’d never let anyone change the oil but me. I would certainly get under there and look. I’d use ramps though, but jack stands would be fine. The dealer won’t give you grief for it.

 

[lightrules]

sorry to hear. i'd call the service mgr 1st thing in the morning and give him the details and respectfully ask him, "what do you want me to do?" put it on him for the next step.

i'd then hang up and take a look myself, at least to see what it might be. the yellow plastic oil plug is pretty idiot proof...but you never know. also check the filter housing.

most important thing? triple check your jack and stands before going underneath. i just did my own oil change yesterday (3rd time for me). i dont want the dealer touching my car for anything but warranty work, if at all possible.

let us know how it goes.

 

[JAJ]

...My assumption (dangerous I know) is that the dealership incorrectly torqued the oil filter and as I've been driving the car more it's started to work it's way off...

I wouldn't start it again until I knew that the filter was on tight. Dealerships are famous for letting oil pool on the undertray where it drains off when driving, but that's usually done in a few days. If you've got a 2016 and the leak is getting worse, then make sure the filter's tightened to the proper torque before you start it again.

...also check the filter housing....

He's got a 2016 with the spin-on filter. Ford fixed a lot of 2016's because the dealer techs couldn't or didn't read the torque spec printed in big letters on the end of the filter.

 

[lightrules]

He's got a 2016 with the spin-on filter

good catch. i saw "late 2019" and thought 2019 MY. oops...

 

[Cobra Jet]

It could be oil cooler lines if the recall was not done, but if you recently had no oil on the ground before the oil change event and now there’s oil, most likely it has to be a loose filter.

If the oil filter is loose, I would not drive the car. If you have some neighbors, or a local shop nearby with the ability to jack up the car safely, I would check to see if the filter is loose. Give it a wiggle spin to see if it might be loose. If it does move, just tighten it up more.

Driving with a loose oil filter is a HUGE risk. If the filter were to separate further due to NVH while driving, which would create a larger breach of the seal, you risk immediate and quick drainage of oil under load.
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It could possibly be the oil pressure switch - it was very common for them not being properly tightened and they will seep over time. There were threads about this a while back, not only on GT350’s, but across all S550 platforms.

 

[GoBlueGT350]

I’d never let anyone change the oil but me. I would certainly get under there and look. I’d use ramps though, but jack stands would be fine. The dealer won’t give you grief for it.

Understood and I don't disagree with you. Don't currently have a great setup at home to get under the car and was hoping (erroneously of course) that getting it to a reputable dealer for the first change would work while figuring out either ramps/quick jacks for a better solution.

sorry to hear. i'd call the service mgr 1st thing in the morning and give him the details and respectfully ask him, "what do you want me to do?" put it on him for the next step.

i'd then hang up and take a look myself, at least to see what it might be. the yellow plastic oil plug is pretty idiot proof...but you never know. also check the filter housing.

most important thing? triple check your jack and stands before going underneath. i just did my own oil change yesterday (3rd time for me). i dont want the dealer touching my car for anything but warranty work, if at all possible.

let us know how it goes.

Thanks, spoke w/ a service manager just now, they were at least helpful and got me an appt to get the car looked at on Wednesday AM. I mentioned my concern about driving the car if the oil filter was loose, they didn't seem to have an idea of what the issue would be re: GT350 and it spinning off, also didn't know what the oil capacity was ("I believe that's 7 quarts", I said no it's 10). I am definitely going to get the car up on jack stands and at least look at the filter and torque it down before I start the car again.

Worst case scenario I have Hagerty Drivers Club which includes towing up to 20 miles.

It could be oil cooler lines if the recall was not done, but if you recently had no oil on the ground before the oil change event and now there’s oil, most likely it has to be a loose filter.

If the oil filter is loose, I would not drive the car. If you have some neighbors, or a local shop nearby with the ability to jack up the car safely, I would check to see if the filter is loose. Give it a wiggle spin to see if it might be loose. If it does move, just tighten it up more.

Driving with a loose oil filter is a HUGE risk. If the filter were to separate further due to NVH while driving, which would create a larger breach of the seal, you risk immediate and quick drainage of oil under load.
—-

It could possibly be the oil pressure switch - it was very common for them not being properly tightened and they will seep over time. There were threads about this a while back, not only on GT350’s, but across all S550 platforms.

Much appreciated, going to check the filter before firing the car up again.

 

[Rubyred17]

Understood and I don't disagree with you. Don't currently have a great setup at home to get under the car and was hoping (erroneously of course) that getting it to a reputable dealer for the first change would work while figuring out either ramps/quick jacks for a better solution.



Thanks, spoke w/ a service manager just now, they were at least helpful and got me an appt to get the car looked at on Wednesday AM. I mentioned my concern about driving the car if the oil filter was loose, they didn't seem to have an idea of what the issue would be re: GT350 and it spinning off, also didn't know what the oil capacity was ("I believe that's 7 quarts", I said no it's 10). I am definitely going to get the car up on jack stands and at least look at the filter and torque it down before I start the car again.

Worst case scenario I have Hagerty Drivers Club which includes towing up to 20 miles.



Much appreciated, going to check the filter before firing the car up again.

Regarding the oil pressure sensor- you can tell if its backed out/loosened by looking at it from the top (pull the foil cover back) to see if the markings are still lined up. They mark them from the factory after torquing and if it starts to loosen the marks will no longer be aligned.

 

[Lurker_350]

The easiest way for me to get a good look at the filter is to pull the driver front wheel. I know you said you don't have a floor jack and stands readily available, but you could use the jack from another car (since these cars don't have jacks/spares) to get just that tire in the air.

Then place the wheel under the suspension if you can safely get the car that high with the jack you have. If the car falls, a new wheel/tire is far better than it falling on you.

I've also been able to torque the filter from this angle.

Good luck!

Your oil spot picture doesn't look too terrible. That could just be from the tray dripping. You can dump a ton of oil on top of that tray when you pull the filter and it takes forever to get out on its own.

 

[Vettel-ish]

I would not risk it and have it towed. Make sure its a flat bed with long ramps. Or even better a trailer. Hell make the dealer come pick it up.

 

[Tank]

Or even better a trailer. Hell make the dealer come pick it u

@GoBlueGT350 , if you go this route, make sure they flatbed it.

Be wary though. Oil leaks were common then the GT350 first came out. Whether it was due to the lines, sensor or filter.

The 7 quart statement is additional cause for concern.

Are there any forum members here that could help you out?

 

[THX 138]

You should be able to plug your VIN into this web page to see whether the oil line recall was ever done. That might allow you to at least rule out that cause.

I was initially leaning towards "sloppy mechanic allowing the used oil to drain into the belly pan," but then I noticed your comment that the last known oil change was in 2019, and your comment that the oil on the floor of your garage is "clean/fresh oil for sure." That, plus the service manager's general cluelessness as to how many quarts of oil a GT350 holds (it's been 10 quarts for the past six years now...) tells me it's likely the oil filter that wasn't torqued correctly.

What's the oil level on the dipstick? If there is still oil showing on the dipstick at all, the next three things I would do are (1) remove the driver's side front wheel, get under the car, and check/properly torque the oil filter; (2) read this thread and check the factory witness marks on the oil pressure sensor; and (3) if the oil pressure sensor and oil filter are no longer loose at that point, just clean up the belly pan, add oil to the proper level, and drive your car. I wouldn't give the dealer another crack at your car unless the oil pressure sensor is loose. (There is a TSB for that.) I certainly wouldn't give them the opportunity to destroy your front splitter (or worse) by sending jughead with a flatbed to come pick it up.

Just my opinion, of course...

 

[CANTWN4LSN]

I was always under the impression, perhaps incorrectly, that if you have a leak from the filter, do not just retighten but clean up the base and replace the filter. This may certainly be from the general idea that for non-torqued filters there may be a defect in the gasket so don't take a chance but once there is a leak would be more comfortable replacing and torquing properly rather that just torquing down the old one.

 

[joshua80]

Not that it helps now, but I have had good luck at Jack Demmer just down the road from you in Wayne for oil changes. They have a nice viewing window so you can watch everything done. They were well aware of the filter changes and torque specs when I was there.

 

[GoBlueGT350]

Thanks again for the helpful input everyone, I really appreciate it. In regards to the oil level when I checked it Sunday, it was still well above the lower dot but slightly down from where it was when I had checked about a week before which was right at the top dot.

Dumb question, but when I take off the driver side wheel will I need to be removing any part of the under tray to access the filter? Or will it be pretty easy to get a look at and feel if it’s loose?

Appreciate the recommendation on Jack Demmer, if I don’t end up going the route of just doing this on my own moving forward I will certainly give them a look!

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