Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help, need Advice...oil leaks and warranty

[damon]

I've had my truck in the shop for 3 of the last 7 days now trying to figure out where the major oil leaks are coming from, and after adding dye to the oil the dealer found the leaks to be at the front crankshaft, and the timing cover, and the vacuum pump.



They were planning to cover the crankshaft seal under warranty, but not the vacuum pump since I was beyond the 3/36, but then I got the call that they found this device (turnbuckle) attached to the turbo, and it is allowing too much boost and causing blow-by which is pressurizing the cases and blowing seals. Of course this means no warranty for any of it, and I pay for the diagnostic fee.



Is the dealers theory realistic ? I know that these engines take more than my max 30 psi of boost with an HX turbo, and from the looks of it I may be getting some blow-by even at idle since I have recently seen smoke from the oil vent tube.



Please share your thoughts guys.

 

[Timbeaux38]

I hate to tell you this, but you are now your own warranty station. Taking the truck in with a turnbuckle on the turbo is like walking into the police station with blood on your hands, and a knife in your pocket. You and I both know that the engine can take higher pressure than you are making, but that turnbuckle is all they need to void your warranty. Good luck

 

[damon]

I agree with the own warrnty station.



What I am looking for is the technical merit behind thier statement of the turnbuckle causing blown seals, anyone have thoughts on that ?

 

[y-knot]

The technical merit you say you are searching for will do you little good at the dealer, there they make the rules. I personally think they are pulling your leg. I think they know the high boost is a crock of bull, but since they have found it on your truck, they will use it against you. You add the EZ and turnbuckle, they didn't, so it is you that will end up paying for the new seals you most likely need. The higher levels of boost is most likely not the cause of the leeks, but it is their way out of any obligation to fix them.

I also feel we are our own warranty stations, and you seem to agree. This is one reason why making mods isn't for everyone. There is a great argument for staying stock while under warranty, and this case of leaking oil is one of them. Have them fix the problem before it gets any worse. Good luck

 

[damon]

Just got back from speaking with the service manager at the dealer, who did the best I could ask for given where everything stood as of this morning.



The tech found and pointed out the turnbuckle and called foul. The service manager was not looking to do me in and is not going to call DC on this to void my warranty or do anything else that would hurt me in the long run. In fact, my gut told me that he really wanted to just fix it but couldn't go against his tech, which of course I understood.



I wasn't ready to drop the $700+ for the repair, so I am picking up the truck after they button it up and there will be no charge. They really could have hit me for the 2-3 hours of diag time they spent, but again the service manager helped me out.



So I figure about $50 in parts from Cummins and a whole Saturday of my time and she'll be leak free again.

 

[AKAMAC]

I'm confused, there are trucks running high boost #'s out here that have never had crank case ventilation problems. The question I have is have you altered the CC vent in any way? I know you are your own "warranty station" but I have doubts about the blow-by high CC pressures.



By the way, you should treat the service manager to cold one for not charging you. Now that is customer service!

 

[damon]

AKAMAC, my vent hose was rerouted by the previous diesel tech at the same dealer, and it is run straight up over the top of the engine and down the back side where it ends just in back of the front diff. I have received a few mentions that it should be on a downslope all the way to the end, but we never freeze here and I know it's not blocked since I'm seeing blow-by (I think) gasses move out freely even at idle.



This idea of 30 psi of boost blowing seals just doesn't sound right to me, and that's what I'm hoping to resolve as I surely don't want to go through this again in a year. After all, if I'm not mistaking, the HO engines are putting 30+ psi stock, and from what I can tell they use the same seals and gaskets as the ones that are leaking on my truck.