Leak???

[wrichards]

I have a leak coming from the left front side of the engine (sitting in the Driver seat). The leak appears to be coming from the oil pan there ar drips on the oil pan bolts. Upon a closer look the top of the power steering box is also coated with significant oil. I cannot tell if it is oil or PS fluid. Both fluids in this truck are clear/yellow (oil color) and smell is close but I still can't tell. Do any of you have a method for finding a leak?

 

[LSMITH]

If the crankcase breather tube is the same place on yours as it is on a 24V then it is the most likely candidate. There is some oil that gets passed out of the vent and it ends up on the steering gear, pan, and front axle on my truck. Clean it up good and see where it is coming from. Simple Green makes an automotive degreaser in a spray bottle that works really well. Spray it on and wait a minute or two, then hose it off. It really cleans well. With everything clean you will be able to check it and see where the leak is.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Ted:

There are two spots that are most likely to leak from that area. Between the PS pump and vacuum pump. The O ring and seal between the two can be replaced. There is a seal between the vacuum pump and timing gear cover. That seal is right at $ 7. Between the PS and vacuum the leak will be ps fluid. The other is motor oil. You can tell a difference.



The only other way for a leak is over fill. Then you would know that. Right?



Good hunting.



. . Preston. .

 

[wrichards]

Thanks for the reply, I will check these, I have already cleaned the area and as you suggested, when I bought the truck I was hoping it was coming from the previous owners bad aim on oil changes but that is not the case. It is not the breather because it drips about a 2"x 2" spot every where I park. I will check those other two spots although it seems like close quarters to work in. Is this a job for a fair mechanic or should I take it somewhere. Oh yeah would that be covered under warranty? Probably not but maybe I'll ask. Any advice on repairing these two spots would be appreciated. I'll repost with more findings.

 

[wrichards]

As you can see I am a new owner of a 1998 12 valve and have just done a search for KDP. Well heres what my engine looks like, two large gashes in the fan shroud and bolts on the cover seem to have been removed although cover looks original. I hope that the oil leak is'nt from the gear cover. Where do they most likely crack when the kdp strikes, my oil is leaking trom approx 5 oclock position.

 

[Deezul1]

The KDP is located at about the alternator height or a little lower near the the fan pulley in between the two. I have seen a timing housing off the truck with a hole in it where it was broken but havnt looked on the truck to see where that would be so this is just a good guess but its not at the bottom area.

 

[Strick-9]

The crack from a dowel pin failure is under the idler pulley. You cannot see the crack in the case until you remove the pulley.



This link might help!





It's sometimes hard to find the source of a leak on these trucks. I've had a dowel pin failure as well as the o-ring failure on the vacuum pump. Similar oil stains.



Good luck,

Chris

 

[shendren]

you DEFINITELY DO NOT need to pull the bumper/radiator etc. to fix the KDP!! mine was done in 1. 5 hrs. no special tools needed. replaced the front seal also. good luck... .

 

[illflem]

Scott, you only need to take the front end apart to fix the damage the KDP causes when it cuts lose. What you had done in one and a half hours was to keep it from cutting lose.

 

[shendren]

whoops, thanks. sorry. scott.

 

[wrichards]

So the fix only takes 1. 5 hours? Fill me in on it. Thanks