I have Ford Contour 98 with 6 cylinder 24 valve Engine. Just turned 155k miles on it. Engine just recently started leaking between engine and Fire Wall, on Passenger side. To make it worse, the oil is leaking unto a hot surface and smell is entering Passenger Compartment. What could be leaking there?

SOURCE: 1995 ford contour lifter noise

If it had any head work done such as valve grinding. there could be a valve a tad shorter and may
result in a noise until the engine warms up. That is what i hear the problem is with mine. There
was no noise before i had the head work done.

SOURCE: Ford Windstar oil leak

Most possible oil leaks from valve cover rubber oil seal. Remove valve cover, inspect , clean surfaces, and replace with new rubber oil seal .
Good luck!
Thanks for using fixya.

SOURCE: smoking from motor near passenger side windshield

UNFORTUNATELY ITS VERY POSSIBLE.BUT GET A FEW ESTIMATES.THAT SOUNDS STEEP.

James Bradburn

• 299 Answers
• Posted on Feb 15, 2009

SOURCE: Oil Leak Valve Cover

If it is leaking around the valve cover then that is the problem. Just remove the bolts from the valve cover in a cross pattern (ex. back right - front left and go back and foward and work till you make it to the middle. Go purcahse a valve gasket for both right and left and replace them. Tighten in the same cross pattern and be careful no to pinch the gasket.

SOURCE: Low compression in 1 cylinder

It sounds like you have a broken piston ring This condition allows compression gasses to enter the oil pan and pressurize it, causing blowby that will find it's way into the air cleaner. A bad valve will not do this as compression would be blown either out the exhaust or intake, but no oil. It would usually be accompanied by a "blapping" noise in the intake or exhaust and a lot of engine shake while running. If you have lots of miles on the engine consider repowering it or buying a new vehicle as the repair will be quite expensive.