6.7L Powerstroke Upper Oil Pan Seal Repair
Hello Fellow Hillbillies! Here is an issue we are hearing more of when chatting with our customers. Rolling into the Gen 2 of the 6.7 Powerstroke engines, it appears the upper seal was replaced with silicone. We would call that “no bueno”. So keep an eye on it if you have the 6.7L. Also, need to mention the Gen 1 6.7L actually had a real seal, so it works a lot better.
6.7L Powerstroke Diesel Generations
- Gen 1 2011-2014
- Gen 2 2015-2019
- Gen 3 2020-Present
Fixing The Oil Pan Seal
Fixing the upper oil pan seal on a 2017 Ford F-250 with the 6.7L PowerStroke diesel is a fairly involved job because the engine uses a two-piece oil pan design (an upper cast aluminum pan and a lower steel pan). The upper oil pan is sealed to the block with RTV, and unfortunately, it cannot be serviced without significant disassembly. Here’s an overview:
Why It’s Complicated
The upper oil pan is structural: it bolts directly to the block and helps tie the lower end of the engine together. The engine must be lifted or removed to access and reseal it—unlike the lower oil pan, which can be dropped in-frame. Ford doesn’t use a replaceable gasket; it’s sealed with Motorcraft TA-29 or equivalent RTV sealant.
General Process (High-Level)
Preparation
- Disconnect batteries.
- Drain engine oil and remove the lower oil pan.
- Remove components that block engine removal (intake, exhaust, driveshafts, crossmembers, etc., depending on how much clearance you need).
Engine Removal/Lifting
The engine typically needs to be either removed from the truck (preferred), or lifted several inches after disconnecting the transmission to gain clearance.
Upper Pan Removal
Support the engine properly. Remove all bolts securing the upper pan to the block. Carefully separate the pan from the block (do not pry on sealing surfaces).
Cleaning & Sealing
Thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of both the block and the upper oil pan. Ensure no RTV residue, oil, or debris is left—this is critical for sealing. Apply the specified RTV (Ford TA-29 / gray high-temp RTV) in the factory pattern. Reinstall the upper pan and torque bolts in the correct sequence to factory specs.
Reassembly
Reinstall all removed components. Refill with oil and check for leaks after warm-up.
Important Notes
This is not a driveway job unless you have an engine hoist, load leveler, and the right space. Labor-wise, this is considered a major repair—often 20+ hours of book labor. Many people mistake a lower oil pan leak or a rear main seal leak for the upper pan. With the 6.7L, make absolutely sure the leak is from the upper pan before committing. If it is indeed the upper pan, most owners have it done by a dealership or diesel specialist because of the complexity. Of course you can always call us at Hillbilly Auto Supply if you have any questions.
The Patriotic Philosopher of Possum County Billy Hill is what happens when a six-pack of root beer, a John Deere hat, and the U.S. Constitution have a baby in the back of a pickup truck. Hailing from the grand hills of somewhere-between-here-and-there, Billy proudly considers himself a “hillbilly” — but with a PhD in common sense and a minor in wrestling raccoons off his porch. With a mullet that flows like a bald eagle in slow motion and a wardrobe that screams “Walmart clearance aisle patriotism,” Billy doesn’t just love America — he is America. He celebrates the 4th of July so hard his neighbors file noise complaints with the bald eagle sanctuary three counties over. Billy’s life philosophy is simple: “If it ain’t broke, duct tape it anyway for extra freedom.” He doesn’t take life too seriously because, as he puts it, “Ain’t no point stressin’ when you got barbecue sauce and a recliner.” He believes everything in life can be solved with a grill, a beer, or a rousing debate about which state has the best gas station snacks. Billy once tried to start his own political party: The Red, White, and Brew Party: its platform consisting entirely of fireworks, lawn chairs, and banning low-fat anything. Whether he’s hunting invisible squirrels in flip-flops or giving unsolicited wisdom like “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy bacon,” Billy Hill is the national treasure no one asked for, but America somehow deserves.
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