I think I'm gonna be sick

[Mopar Man1]

Ya I'm the moron that knows nothing about Cummins and bought a new to me 91 D350 Cummins truck. When we went to look at it,the owner said that it had developed a oil leak,said it was not bad at all. Went and looked at the truck and the mount that the oil filter mounts to,it was leaking around that bracket and the side of the motor. I believe it is just the gasket behind it that is leaking. We didn't let it sit and run a really long time but did a little bit. Shut it off and everything ran like a top,said it started leaking after sittin and idling about 30 minutes when someone else was looking at it. Bought it at a deal cause of that leak and now it's home. I'm learning as I can as you could tell from my other post,but I've been looking at the truck from top to bottom. I popped the radiator cap off cause I didn't ever check it before,look down in it,it looks to be just a little low,but I can see it and its green so its got anti freeze in it. Look at the bottom of the radiator cap and... :{ I believe its got oil on it! I felt of it and it was greasy kinda like oil,smelt of it and it smelled mostly like antifreeze,pulled the dipstick,smelled of the oil and they didn't really smell the same... but anti-freeze isn't a gray looking greasy substance... . the truck only has 119k on it,but it was used by contractors so it was used hard. The other owner started to get it ready to paint then stopped. So I still gotta fix the oil leak,need to find out how many quarts of oil to use and what kinda oil filter to use from yall(any help on that?) But I think I've got a killed head gasket or something. . cause I believe I got oil in the water:{ :{ :{



Jimmy

 

[1stgen4evr]

gona be sick

Don't jump to the wrong conclusion. There may be something wrong but take things one at the time and run down the problem. If the truck starts up fine and runs fine, the problem may be minor. Yes I have seen your other posts and you have a way to go but you will get there and you will love your truck. Who knows, someone may have used an oily can to top off the water. What you are seeing may not be oil.



Get some firm data and ask some questions. You will be a pro before long.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[bmoeller]

I would have an oil analysis done. As stated above, you may be alright.



One other possiblity, it could also be the engine oil cooler, if in fact the two are getting where they aren't supposed to be.



I see you have an auto transmission. Did you check the transmission fluid level? If your truck has a heat exchanger (transmission cooler) under the turbo as the '94 and up trucks have, it could be transmission fluid.

 

[JDMills]

Jimmy,

Sounds like hard luck. Although, It could be a leak in the oil cooler. Considering that the oil cooler is leaking oil, externially, it might be letting oil into the cooling jacket as well...



Now if the crankcase oil filler cap is has a white color on the bottom, that is not good news... Not sure what to think about the grey stuff on the dipstick.



As for oil and filter, Oil of CE/SF or CE/SG ratings by the petrolem institute. Plan on 12 Quarts, which includes one Quart for the filter. As for the filter A Mopar oil fiter # 4429615 or Fleetguard LF3349 is what is listed in the manual.

Good luck,

Jason

 

[Mopar Man1]

Thanks for all the help



To clear any of it up cause my above post could be mis leading. The gray "substance" is on the bottom of the radiator cap. I checked the oil,cause of the oil leaking around the oil filter bracket it is about 1 quart low but it isn't being run to no biggie. The bottom of the oil fill cap looks normal,oil looked and smelled fine,not burnt and I also checked the trans fluid. Now I know it wasn't at operating temp and idling in neutral like it's supposed to be but it showed on the dipstick well and it was nice and red,smelled good and looked good,just some gray "substance" that I take for oil on the bottom of the radiator cap.



Jimmy

 

[dpuckett]

Jimmy,

Dont pull a CB Parker and get all excited just yet. THe oily gunk on the bottom of the cap could be old antifreeze breaking down. Check the fins inside the radiator and see if there is some build up on them. If so, it is most likely silicate deposits, which arent entirely good. I nearly got into a fistfight trying to explain to a guy that antifreeze breaks down, just like oil, and needs replaced every now and then. (swamp folk )

Get an oil analysis done, change the coolant, oil, and diff fluid while yer at it. I would recommend a Fleetgard LF3552 (microglass) or LF3894 (stratopore) filter. Not that the LF3349 is bad, but the other two are more efficient on the 10 micron partices. I have used Wix or Donaldson here in the swamp, where non- 350 parts and suppllies are scarce. Use a name brand 15w40 oil; most of them have the latest CI-4/ SL rating, and they are backwards compatible- the newer- spec oil can be used if an older spec is called for, such as the CF-4/** (?) for our Rams. There is no real need to go to a ligher weight oil for winter, unless you live in the Arctic. Keep the oil changed regularly, and the other filters changed, and it will go a long time.



Daniel

PS- also check your air filter.

 

[paccool]

My gut feel is that it is not the head gasket. BUT- I have been known to be wrong once or twice!



Remove the filter mount and see if you can identify where the leaks is located. If it is the gasket, it will probably be evident. Oh yea, try the bolts for tightness before removing the filter mount just to be sure something hasn't loosened up. Fix whatever you find leaking.



You might also have a pressure test done on the cooling system. If the oil cooler is leaking it should show up on the pressure test. Unfortunately, a head gasket problem would also cause pressure loss.



Drain the oil and let it settle out in a large jar(bottled water type jug?). you might be able to see water at the bottom. As bmoeller said, have an analysis done, costs about $15. change the filter and put in the fresh oil. I would have an extra quart on hand - the book say's 12 quarts but mine always takes 13 and that doesn't put it to the full mark, only about half way. With the bypass filter it takes about 15 quarts to fill it.



Drain the antifreeze and refill with plain water.



Run the truck for an hour or so and monitor the water temps and oil pressure. Shut off and look at the oil as well as the water in the radiator. If it looks ok, run it like that for a few days and keep checking fluids and looking at the oil. The oil analysis will be back in a few more days and that will be the final item to evaluate.



If all is ok, drain the radiator and fill with 50/50 antifreeze mix.



Drive that sucker!

 

[phillips5]

Probly not a head gasket but a head gasklet isn't the end of the world. They are farly easy to change. I use baldwin BT339 oil filters. Just over 100000 mls. Its due for a valve adj.

 

[Greenleaf]

Welcome a head gasket failure with open arms. You'll learn a lot and the truck will be better off in the long run when you add the studs and minor porting Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.



I think maybe I said too much



Greenleaf

 

[bgilbert]

[I checked the oil,cause of the oil leaking around the oil filter bracket it is about 1 quart low]- Our oil dipsticks equals two quarts between high and low or full and add. 4qts=1gallon. Before you do the oil change make sure you run the truck and have it warm or at operating temps before you change the oil. Then once the truck is warm check the transmission fluid level as you said in neutral.

I don't know if I'm any help or am saying anything different than above. Just remember the cheapest and easiest maintainence is PM= preventative maintainence. Which would be oil change, oil and fuel filter change, I would only use fleetguard, greasing the entire truck and a check of all other fluid levels and tire pressures and all lights. Oil to be changed every 6 months or 6k miles. Fuel filter changed every 12 months or 12k miles- I do both every 6 months.

I've bought a few trucks in the past and being Dodges for some reason they get used and abused and havent been serviced very well, so once I buy one, even if the owner says he's had the oil or whatever changed recently, I do a full service on the truck front to back. Oil, oil and fuel filter, air filter, check all fluid levels under the hood, change fluid in front diff, rear diff, trans fluid and filter, transfer case, basically everything on the truck gets cleaned and changed, this way you know that its done and done right. Hopefully I didnt leave anything out. Another nice thing to do is get your socket set and a ratchet maybe some wrenches and get on a creeper under the truck and check for loose nuts and bolts and retighten them. BTW the truck is SAE or standard, engine is metric. Bill

 

[JLEONARD]

get on a creeper under the truck and check for loose nuts

And hope there are fewer loose nuts under the truck than on this page!:-laf :-laf :-laf



Hey... . had to break you guys up a little..... all this seriousness has got me worried.



My two cents... . what Greenleaf said... head gasket is common among diesels and not necessarily catastrophic. Not in the condition you describe anyway.

Jay

 

[Mopar Man1]

BTW the truck is SAE or standard, engine is metric. Bill



Thanks alot Bill That was a question I was going to ask but couldn't think about it. I'm still searching for a service manuel and I'll be buying one if I find it.



What it be best to buy a service manuel for a 92 model truck instead of a 91? Because mine is a 91. 5 with the intercooler but it was the norm on the 92s. Or did I just answer my own question



Jimmy

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

The 91 manual would work, The 91' factory manual I have came with a supplemental section for the intercooled trucks.



Steve

 

[bgilbert]

93 FSM would be best, they're still available new, and they're the only manual with the getrag rebuild section, yeah you have an auto, but in case you ever buy one with a getrag, a friend does etc, you'll have it. Bill

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I use Prestone antifreeze in all my stuff - haven't needed to service the new truck yet - but on all my other stuff, including the '91 when I had it, also used the Prestone rust inhibiter and water pump lubricant - that stuff over time will leave a grey buildup on the radiator cap that will appear oily...

 

[dpuckett]

MoparMan1-

Look at turbo, head gasket, et al, failures as a chance to BOMB the snot out of it. If the HG blows, get a thicker one, port the head, manifold, exhaust housing... ..... If the turbo has to much slack in it (laterally, [which isnt the end] OR front to back), you can get a PDR Hx35 or Dodgezilla 35/40 hybrid... ... . See my meaning? Now you have a place to put your extra money, and money you have.



Daniel



Doing my part to corrupt young minds.

 

[Mopar Man1]

I know I seen it a post not to long ago where somebody had a link to where to order the new FSMs. . what is that link? I looked but didn't see it



Ya thanks Daniel... yall are all witnesses,when I'm broke as hell cause I've spent all my money on my truck,it's all his fault!





Jimmy

 

[bmoeller]

www.techauthority.com

 

[dpuckett]

I am in no way responsible for the corruption of young(er) minds and the abuse they bring on to themselves, their wallets, or their pickups. Witnesses..... more bodies to hide . What the heck else do you have to spend your money on, Jimmy? You need to learn more from CB Parker, and get you a woman that will spend money on your truck. He is still in heaven from his birthday presents he got; and that's just the ones WE know about Oo. I foudn one, but she didnt have the money I needed. :-laf



Daniel