Front main leak???

[bowhunter]

Have an oil leak. It doesn't drip when sitting, but is concentrated all around the front of the oil pan and drivers side of the oil pan there is a coating of oil. The oil is also all over the power steering pump.

I don't see any oil directly under the harmonic balancer, (front main area), but am still concerned it might be leaking form the top of the front main seal. The oil seems to be too high up on the engine to just be a pan gasket. I'm not too experienced with this type of leak.

Any ideas or similar leaks?,

(BTW, the power steering fluid level does not change. I've been watching it for a while now)

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97 2500 Reg cab 4WD, Emerald Green and Driftwood, 3. 54 gears, 2" Daystar Coil Spacers, 315/75/16 AT BFG'S on Alcoa's, Trailmaster SSV shocks & SSV steering stabilizer, K&N, stock, oh yeah--no silencer ring

K. Kinion

 

[MuddFlapp]

Sounds a lot like the leak I just had fixed on mine. It was coming from the timing gear cover. Major job, either pulling the engine or taking the front of the truck apart. I was under 100K so my dealer covered everything. Even adjusted the valves and set the fuel pump timing.

Good Luck.

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Gene Earl, White '97' 3500 Laramie SLT, Ext Cab, LB, 5 SPEED, 4. 10 Limited Slip, 4X4. Isspro Boost and Pyro, (pre-turbo), SW Fuel pressure, in a 3 guage A-Pillar mount. No muffler. K&N filter. (it's a start).

 

[bowhunter]

Unfortunately I have 120,000 miles, so I'm the warranty. I really think you may be right, because that is where all the oil looks the freshest.

Bad for me. .

Thanks for the help

Kurt

 

[dasyure]

I would try washing it and some oil die to make sure where it's coming from.

Sean

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87 F350 dually crew cab 4x4 89 5. 9bta 5spd 3. 55 LS 370 pistons/injectors, BD 4" remote exhaust brake, cyberdye temp/pres gauges dual isspro egt, isspro temp monitor, kn 0880, horton fan, water after cooler, cliped hx40 16, amsoil bypass filter, remote racore fuel filter, 5" exhaust

 

[bowhunter]

Yeah, I'm doing that tonight, then I'm gonna watch it for a couple days.

I talked to Gateway Cummins and the head service guy said that he'd bet $50 that all I need to do is snug the bolts up to 30ft/lbs, and the leak would stop, if it was the timing cover. He said 8 out of 10 he sees have this problem. He said most people are like me and naturally assume the worst.

He also said very few ever have the timing casing gasket leaking, mostly just the cover.

But if it is the casing, then expect a 1800. 00 bill, mostly in labor to take the front of the truck apart to get to the front of the engine. Same labor cost regardless if they pull the engine or take the front of the truck apart.

I hope I'm in the 8 of the 10 people, this could put a huge dent in my bombing fund.

Kurt

 

[DSiemens]

Just recently I had a problem where I lost all my Oil in a hurry. It was all "wet" on the front of the moter, the fan blew everything around and could not find a leak. I found that the dowell pin used in aligment of the timing gear case had fallen out, hit the camshaft gear and than was propelled through the side of the timing case. It was ugly. JB Weld to the rescue. I did all the work myself. Cummins quoted over 15hours labour to replace the timing gear cover as you have to pull the Camshaft to do this. JB weld works great. If the pin came out and ejected, look down by the fan with a strong light. You will see a broken timing gear cover. I hope you did have what happened to me.

 

[bowhunter]

Thanks for the help

I bought this truck w/ 69,000 miles a year ago. At that time it had a small damp looking spot towards the front of the power steering pump(front of the truck). Now with 120,000 miles, the spot has grown to covering the whole pump, and the front and partial drivers side oil pan gasket.

I've never seen a drop under the truck in the driveway. I just notice each time I change the oil, the leak gets bigger. Its not bad, my truck uses about a quart of oil per 7,000 miles. So, its not a massive leak, but just one that is getting bigger.

After reading several archives, I'm going to slightly tighten the timing case cover and pan gasket & check the o-ring between the vacum pump and power steering pump. Then hose the underside with Brake Cleaner, and watch for fresh oil. I hope this fixes my problem.

If not, then the timing case may be the culprit.

Thanks for the help

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97 2500 Reg cab 4WD, Emerald Green and Driftwood, 3. 54 gears, 2" Daystar Coil Spacers, 315/75/16 AT BFG'S on Alcoa's, Trailmaster SSV shocks & SSV steering stabilizer, K&N, stock, oh yeah--no silencer ring

K. Kinion

 

[Turbo Thom]

Bowhunter:
I think you found your problem with the PS pump. Check the seal between the pump and the vacumn pump, if you have one. If you don't good luck. I had a mech. tell me to removed the pump, separate the two, clean the seal, apply the black silicone in a thin coat, and reinstall.
Just a thought.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system, AutoMeter Pyro & boost, Primeloc

 

[illflem]

Kurt,new trick I just learned,but have never tried for finding oil leaks. After you clean the area and it dries,spray it down with aerosol athlete's foot powder, fresh oil will show up in it well.

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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)

 

[Missouri Mule]

bowhunter,
I think your on the right track with the seal between the vacuum and power sterring pump. I would also look at where the vaccum pump goes into back of gear housing. Also the oil lines for the injector pump are in the area of vacuum and steering pump(over them).

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[bowhunter]

Thanks for all the replies

I hope I find the problem with the power steering pump and vacum pump. I'll keep you posted, all clean under there now. I'll drive it for a couple days and see what happens.

Thanks

Kurt

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97 2500 Reg cab 4WD, Emerald Green and Driftwood, 3. 54 gears, 2" Daystar Coil Spacers, 315/75/16 AT BFG'S on Alcoa's, Trailmaster SSV shocks & SSV steering stabilizer, K&N, stock, oh yeah--no silencer ring

K. Kinion

 

[Extreme1]

1 quart in 7,000 miles? #ad

That's not a leak, it's seepage! Don't worry about it. If it were any kind of leak, you would see an occasional drip where you park. You would also see drops on the bottom of the area waiting to fall.
BOMBing budget saved! #ad


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'94 3500 4x4, 209,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (thanks Dave G), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Air Oil & Bypass Filters & Lubes, AWOL intake boot (put the silencer ring after I pulled the boot-too loud!?!). NRA member. Blue Ribbon Coalition member.
"Warrantee? We don't need no stinking warrantee!"

[This message has been edited by Extreme1 (edited 02-21-2001). ]

 

[bowhunter]

I agree, its not bad, but thats why I want to fix it now. It also why I think it can't be a major problem like everyone is mentioning. Probably just a seal between the power steering pump and vacum pump, or a few bolts needing to be snugged. If it is a slow leak in the timing case gasket, you can bet that it will be fixed after "basic bombing".

Or until I start throwing oil slicks on cars that follow-- #ad
#ad


Thanks