oil leak in air filter

[pandak]

i observed a presence of oil in the air filter of my windstar 96 3.8L. its just a few drops concentrating in one location of the air filter (circumferential lowermost side). is this a sign of a major problem? whats the first most economical thing to do?

[DRW1000]

That is a strange place for the oil to be. I don't know what the airfilter/intak is like on the 96 but if it is similar to my 99 then I think the only place for it to enter would be through the small tube on the back of the filter housing. I think this is a vacuum line. I don't know what would cause oil to go the opposite way.

Just a guess.

[pandak]

will an oil stop leak liquid be of help?

[wiswind]

No, a stop leak will not help.
Take a look at the throttle body...is there oil on the bottom of it?.....I have that on my '96 3.8L. This is from the PCV line.
If I spray Sea Foam in the PCV line....I always get some back into the flexible air intake hose.
Make sure that you have a Motorcraft brand of PCV valve, as some aftermarket types permit too much air to pass through...with pulls excessive oil with it. If you have a motorcraft brand PCV valve, do not do anything to reduce the PCV flow....as that flow it taking contaminates out of the crankcase....keeping things clean in there.

On the '96 3.8L, the PCV valve is in the rear valve cover....and the air flows in through the front valve cover.

If you are getting oil in through the plastic line that connects to the rear of the flexible air intake hose.....about 1/2 way between the throttle body and the MAF....then you most likely do not have PCV flow....and will need to correct that.

I have considered installing a unit to remove the oil from the air flowing through the PCV line...without reducing the flow.

Take note of the fact that a number of lines tap into the line that goes from the top of the upper intake manifold....next to the throttle body......and the PCV valve....Including the EGR vaccum source, and the charcoal canister purge.........

[garync1]

Wiswind.".I have considered installing a unit to remove the oil from the air flowing through the PCV line...without reducing the flow."
What would that be wiswind I would like to try the same.Would that be a inline fuel filter like I have heard of before.?