Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) KDP claims another victim

[Andy Redmond]

I rec'd a call late last night of a mystery oil leak coming from the "water pump" region of the gear housing.



After removal of the fan and fan mount, I discovered the cause of the oil leak, a cracked housing.



The truck was a late production 1998 model year 12v (12/17/1997). Just before the 24 v.



Obviously, this one didn't have the update housing to retain the pin.



His mileage is 115,000, so he's off to the Dodge dealer to plead and beg. Hopefully, he'll have some luck.





He opted to fill the crack with JB weld and put it back together, after snapping a few photos. I explained this is not likely a permanent fix.



Since it was a mobile call, I re-assy as requested. Hopefully, he'll let it cure for a few hours to give it a chance.



I did not remove the cover, to check for gear damage etc. per the customer's request.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

As I posted on another thread, I saw a RAm with a leak under the vacuum pump from a crack in the gear case. That is where the case will break into two pieces after a while if the KDP crack is just filled with RTV or some other temporary fix. Often the bolts for the injection pump and vacuum pump bracket will break off, leaving the threaded part in the block and no straightforward way to fix this issue.

 

[illflem]

I was hoping Joe would mention this. I figure about 100 pounds of injection, power steering and vacuum pumps hanging on a broken case will be the ultimate test for any glue.