Engine oil leaking.. but from where?

[Jeff]

My truck is a '95 w/ 125K miles. The engine compartment is relatively clean, but I have noticed in the past 2 weeks I have engine oil all over the driver side of the front axle, the oil pan, etc. I tightened up all the little 10mm bolts around the oil pan and cover that connets with the oil filler tube. Each oil pan bolt had a small drip of oil on it... All my filters and hoses are tight. (I have the Amsoil by-pass system installed) I plan on getting under there with a high-pressure washer and watching where it comes out. Is there anything I am missing or certain parts / gaskets that seem to go out after while. It seems like it's somewhere to the left side of the steering box. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jeff

 

[RMedley]

Jeff, have you checked to see if your crankcase vent tube has fallen off,my truck only has a piece of tygon tube for a vent. There is a small amount of oil mist that comes out of this tube . If the tube has fallen off this oil would blow down on the left side of the engine.

 

[illflem]

Ron beat me to it I had the same suggestion. Even with the blow by tube intact it will paint the bottom of your truck with oil,but usually more to the rear on the transmission. I fixed mine by slipping a piece of hose over the blow by and making it longer,no clamps needed if you use the right sized hose. Oil now hits the highway instead of the bottom of the truck.

Be careful going around tightening bolts. You should use a torque wrench especially on the oil pan,the bolts aren't supposed to be real tight. Over tightening them can cause a leak.

------------------
95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[sam peterson]

if you don't have any luck finding the leak by conventional means get ahold of some fluorolite dye for engine oil. you will need about 2 oz for the diesel capacity. it will take a little bit of driving to circulate. you will need to get a ultraviolet light to check for leaks. the dye will show bright yellow where the leak originates.

 

[HerbW]

You know when your fuel filter drains, It's on the driver's side also. I've had fuel make quite a mess after I changed my fuel filter from running out of the clear tube after using it to drain my old filter. Just my two cents! Herb

------------------
'96 4x4 Dodge Cummins Truck,Smitty built running boards,AT,CD plr,Gemtop steel canopy basically stock and Polar white in color. Only 50 k miles and I'm spaying my cat soon and adding gauges, plates and other money grabbers!!

 

[Jeff Knight]

Hi Jeff, I had the same thing happen to my truck. I would have oil drops on the bottom of the vent tube. As it turned out it was diesel fuel. The return line started leaking and running down the vent tube. Let your truck idle for a while and see if you get a little spot on the ground. Just a thought. Jeff

 

[trucknut]

test

 

[trucknut]

If your 12ver has an oil leak this is one spot you must check out. Behind the camplate, just below the injection pump, there is a plastic plug with an "O" ring on it. This plug can be pushed into the camgear(used for findingT. D. C. setting,valves,timing). This plug has 1/2" stem sticking out. The plug is very difficult to see, but you should be able to feel it with your hand,checking for an oil leak. The plug pulls out easily, but you must have the right replacement "O" ring in order for the plug to fit back in.
My engine leaked about 1/2liter of oil in about 3000miles. Of course the fan blows the oil all around making it difficult to find the leak.

 

[sam peterson]

that is the timing pin that turcknut is talking about. when you pull it out don't lose the keeper ring as I did. had to order 1 from the dealer.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Hope its not coming from the front timimg gear cover, or from behind the harmonic balancer.

 

[CPFF]

After you pressure wash it,run it a little and from underneath, look at the casting between the vaccume pump and the power steering pump. There is a o-ring and oil seal in that casting that holds in the motor oil that lubes the vac. pump. It could be where your oil is leaking from.

CPFF

------------------
CUMMINS POWERED FAST FORD

 

[Jeff]

Thanks for the all the replys! It is cold here today, but it is supposed to warm up later this week. I'll powerwash the front of that engine and take a look around. At least now I have some ideas where to look. Thanks again. JH