2018 Ram 2500 w/1000 miles and front main seal leaking

[amauri]

Hello,

New old guy here looking for some info.
I'm a mechanic by trade going back to the seventies, now semi retired but still do all my own maintenance.
Bought a new Ram 2500 with 6.7 Cummins a couple of months ago and while looking around underneath today in preparation for a trip with our 5th wheel, I noticed several drops of engine oil starting to drip out of the front main seal area.

I have just over 1000 miles now and would like to know if this is a known issue with these engines?
I do realize it is under warranty and I can take it back to the dealer.

Thanks very much,
Amauri

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would spray BrakeClean on the area and keep an eye on it. Most likely from assembly.

 

[amauri]

Thanks, I did that and will monitor.
What makes me think it is more than just residual lube applied to the seal during assembly is that the color of the oil leaking is the same color as what I see on the dipstick.
I'll keep an eye on it before making a decision on what to do.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Timing gear cover on some were improperly sealed from the factory (mine was). It's a known problem. I'd bring it in.

 

[amauri]

ok sounds possible, what year is yours?

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

ok sounds possible, what year is yours?

2015

 

[ChrisW98]

Thanks, I did that and will monitor.
What makes me think it is more than just residual lube applied to the seal during assembly is that the color of the oil leaking is the same color as what I see on the dipstick.
I'll keep an eye on it before making a decision on what to do.

Seals are installed dry.

 

[amauri]

Thanks,
I've been searching online and saw that mentioned somewhere, also saw that there is no front plate gasket, just a FIPG type sealant.

The job does not look difficult, I will do it myself because all the dealers around here have let me down in the past.

 

[amauri]

Timing gear cover on some were improperly sealed from the factory (mine was). It's a known problem. I'd bring it in.

Do you know if yours was leaking between the timing cover and the engine block, or between the timing cover and the front plate?
From what I've been reading, the front plate is not difficult to re-seal, but to re-seal the t-cover to block is a big job requiring major disassembly.

The leak on mine is starting right behind the harmonic balancer.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Timing cover itself.

 

[crazy jerry]

**** happens sometime. pinion seal leaked on my '17 day i bought it. fixed it myself and went on with life. hasnt leeked a drop since

 

[amauri]

Just wanted to update this for those who are interested.

As I stated in my OP, I noticed that the front main seal was leaking a tiny little bit when I first crawled under my 2018 2500 CTD @ 1000 miles. It leaked enough to where I could see the residue coming from the seal and also saw a few drips on the driveway.

I've been keeping an eye on it and wiped it dry a few times.
Today I changed the oil for the first time @ 5k miles and the seal is no longer leaking at all, the area is clean and dry.

Glad I decided to wait before replacing that seal.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I had my timing cover to pan re sealed.

 

[amauri]

I'm hopeful that mine was just some left over lube from assembly as you suggested on the 2nd post. Thanks

 

[Newsa]

Just wanted to update this for those who are interested.

As I stated in my OP, I noticed that the front main seal was leaking a tiny little bit when I first crawled under my 2018 2500 CTD @ 1000 miles. It leaked enough to where I could see the residue coming from the seal and also saw a few drips on the driveway.

I've been keeping an eye on it and wiped it dry a few times.
Today I changed the oil for the first time @ 5k miles and the seal is no longer leaking at all, the area is clean and dry.

Glad I decided to wait before replacing that seal.

Just wanted to update this for those who are interested.

As I stated in my OP, I noticed that the front main seal was leaking a tiny little bit when I first crawled under my 2018 2500 CTD @ 1000 miles. It leaked enough to where I could see the residue coming from the seal and also saw a few drips on the driveway.

I've been keeping an eye on it and wiped it dry a few times.
Today I changed the oil for the first time @ 5k miles and the seal is no longer leaking at all, the area is clean and dry.

Glad I decided to wait before replacing that seal.

Sometimes a new seal will gradually expand after it gets moistened by oil.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Look at the Concrete in front of the loaner car. That was a real leak!

 

[amauri]

That's a leak alright!

Mine only had three or four drops over a couple thousand miles.