Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
08, 3500, drw, quad cab, LB, auto, gauges, no mods.
Towing the 5th wheel for a weekend get away, about half way there, start hearing a screeching noise and a tapping/knocking sound. Pull over and start to investigate, smell something hot or burning, pop the hood and saw the smoke coming from the back of the engine. look underneath and see smoke coming from the oil pan flywheel area. OK panic mode starts. Call my dealer and start the process of getting towed. The smoke starts to clear and diminish. Thinking the starter some how engaged, I tried to start it, it started good and is running. But the is a knocking sound coming from the flywheel area There are not check engine lights, no message on the overhead, and all the gauges are good. Truck still moves. I get the front tires on blocks and crawl under it. Pulled the inspection cover on the bell housing, no debris. Look around the front side of the flywheel housing and there is a fiber panel between the oil pan and flywheel housing. I try to look around it and it falls out, Now know what was burning. Look at the front side of the flywheel housing and see what looks like a couple of cracks where something has pushed it out from the inside. Got towed to an RV park about 11:00 and the truck is at the dealer. Now it is just a waiting game.
Towing the 5th wheel for a weekend get away, about half way there, start hearing a screeching noise and a tapping/knocking sound. Pull over and start to investigate, smell something hot or burning, pop the hood and saw the smoke coming from the back of the engine. look underneath and see smoke coming from the oil pan flywheel area. OK panic mode starts. Call my dealer and start the process of getting towed. The smoke starts to clear and diminish. Thinking the starter some how engaged, I tried to start it, it started good and is running. But the is a knocking sound coming from the flywheel area There are not check engine lights, no message on the overhead, and all the gauges are good. Truck still moves. I get the front tires on blocks and crawl under it. Pulled the inspection cover on the bell housing, no debris. Look around the front side of the flywheel housing and there is a fiber panel between the oil pan and flywheel housing. I try to look around it and it falls out, Now know what was burning. Look at the front side of the flywheel housing and see what looks like a couple of cracks where something has pushed it out from the inside. Got towed to an RV park about 11:00 and the truck is at the dealer. Now it is just a waiting game.
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