front of engine oil leak

[dougdodgeman]

I have an '06 3500 4x4 with 124,000 mi. that developed an oil leak from the timing gear case area about 10,000 mi. ago. I had the truck in the dealership for it's third tipm[another story] in preparation for a 1000 mi. trip and asked what they would charge to change the crank seal while they had it. They said it called for 3 hrs. , so I said to do it while it was there. I thought this was the leak, but evidently it was not as they called to say that it didn't fix the leak and that they couldn't tell w/o tearing into it where the leak was coming from. The only other thing I can think of would be the gasket between the block and gear case. The oil cooler is dry, but the a/c compressor is soaked as is the corner of the gear case and it doesn't look all that wet above that lower area. Does anyone have any other experience or suggestions? Thanks!

 

[cerberusiam]

I have the same problem. Replaced the front crank seal and it slowed the leak down but did not stop it.



My guess is the crank is grooved and the seal is not holding. You, as I do, need a sleeve kit with a different seal to clean the crank snout up so the seal will work correctly.

 

[Wingate]

Speedy-sleeve... Odd that it would be worn with only 120K on the clock unless there is an underlying issue. Could it be the gearcase cover gasket? Typically, a crankshaft seal will sling oil out 360 degrees from the crankshaft... . not just to one side. The belt should be getting wet, underside of your hood should have a nice oily film line across it, along with the front suspension... . not just to one side. First, I would check/change the engine oil filter and check the sealing area then I would check the front gearcase bolts.

If the repairing dealer has no idea where its coming from, how are they gonna know if/when they have it fixed????

 

[cerberusiam]

Typically, a crankshaft seal will sling oil out 360 degrees from the crankshaft... . not just to one side. The belt should be getting wet, underside of your hood should have a nice oily film line across it, along with the front suspension... . not just to one side.

No they don't. The way the damper pulley, tone ring, and cover are set in there a small leak doesn't foul the drivers side only the compressor side. It shows as leak off the pan on the passenger side of the engine. Only after running for months with a bad leak, like 2-3 quart loss of oil in 5k miles, does it get across the engine. The fan and shroud keep it contained so you almost never see small leaks on the hood. Also, if the truck does short runs and not much extended hiway driving it doesn't leak as much.



If one gets real close with a trouble light and looks up from the bottom of the damper pulley you can usually see the trail of oil on the cover and how it drops into the pan rail then gets blown to the passenger side. Remove the damper pulley and almost all the oil fouling goes one way.



I am still cleaning the bottom of my truck all the way to the bumper on the passenger side. At least it won't rust for a while.



Why these things groove the crank is weird, oil formualtion I guess. Cummins has a kit specifically for this so it is an issue.

 

[Grey Wolf]

Have you checked the CP3?

 

[cerberusiam]

Have you checked the CP3?

Wrong side of the engine.

 

[mini14]

IF your leak is the crank seal or cover, its not really a big deal to fix, if its the gear case seal then it is a timely expensive fix the cam needs to be pulled. there is a spedi sleeve kit that allows the use of the original size seal.

 

[rashwor]

Are we sure the leaking oil is motor oil? Turbo, Turbo feed line or return line, Oil cooler, or Oil filter is about all that is on that side?



If it was the left side, I would say check the color of the oil as it might be the power steering pump. A while back my power steering pump went to leaking and it was enough to make it look like the front crank seal was leaking (front of pan and block were wet). Replaced the ps pump and the front of the engine is now dry. The only actual oil we could find when this leak was going on was red power steering fluid; no brown motor oil to be found. Sorry this does not help you.

 

[IWertenberger]

Hey Cerberusiam my truck did the exact same thing. I thought it was the crank seal also repalced it twice and once with the sleeve kit. Finally took it to cummins and they found the gear case had a small crack in it. They also have had a few that the bolts holding the cover came loose causing gasket failure. Hope this helps

 

[IWertenberger]

Truck is an 04. 5 dont know why sig didnt show up

 

[cerberusiam]

Finally took it to cummins and they found the gear case had a small crack in it. They also have had a few that the bolts holding the cover came loose causing gasket failure. Hope this helps

Gear case or front cover cracked?



I can see the oil coming off the crank seal mounting on the front cover. Pretty sure thats where mine is having issues.



If one pulls the damper pulley off you can usually trace the leak. I pulled the fan and then spray the engine down with cleaner and hot water to clean it up. It was easy to find then.