Leaks, leaks, leaks

[Bunn]

At 18,000 miles on the ticker the truck went into the dealer for four different leaks. Power steering pump, t-case output seal, t-stat housing and an unidentified leak coming from the top of the motor by the fuel rail.



This is my first CTD, is this normal? Does the added vibration wear seals out faster? Whats the deal?



Rob

 

[JThiessen]

Did you have any visual indicators of leaks? I've got what I think is an unusually large amount of white residue all over the engine compartment and pinkish residue around the head bolts (visible on the passenger side). My coolant level seems good - havent had to add any yet. About the same amount of mileage as you... .

 

[Bunn]

About 1,000 miles ago I pressure washed the top of the engine because I had the pink residue everywhere also. The bolts by the head had some pink on them as well. After 1,000 miles it was obvious that the t-stat gasket/housing was leaking and the fan was blowing coolant everywhere.



The tech said he didn't know where the other oil/fuel leak was coming from, I think its head or valve cover related. There is dye in my fuel (but not oil) so its back to the dealer next week to hash that problem out.

 

[Rineholio]

Bunn,



Changed my oil tonight at 12,000 miles and noticed my power steering pump is leaking. It really torques me off that we spend this much on machinery, and then simple things degrade our satisfaction. My wife's old beater Honda Civic has 170,000 miles on it and you can clean it up with a hose and a shot of simple green. Nothing really leaks after 13 years, and I still don't have to add oil between changes (now she has a new Honda). The driveway is clean under that car. My one year old truck on the other hand...



Please post what they did to fix the power steering pump. If it's cheap, I'll probably do it myself rather than risk a dealer.

 

[MCornwell]

PS Pump

DC is havin problems with these pumps, my friend just tonight



had the same pump used on his 1500 completely puke all the oil



out. Coming from the main mating gasket...



-Mitch

 

[EEngel]

Leaks

Bunn,



Did you have the TSB for the weighted hose? I read on one post a while back that the constant vibration could have taken a toll on bolt tighness and may lead to leaks.



Not all that sure I buy into it, but I wouldn't deny it either.

 

[Rineholio]

I think mine is leaking from the main mating gasket also. Hope it holds at least through the weekend-it's a fairly slow leak. I'm heading out tonight with an 11,000lb. toyhauler filled with bikes and beverages for an end of the season fiesta. It would suck to be stuck in traffic on I-15, or worse yet, way out in the desert.

 

[CKruse]

Anyone experiencing leaks on the passenger side needs to check the block heater. Mine and many others were only hand tight. Took care of the problem on mine. CKruse

 

[jelag]

My 04 with 50K and has been pulling a trailer at 20K(trailer only) for most of those miles has been leak free... . I run it into the lube center every 7500 miles and have had to add no fluids except washer fluid... ... This truck is an early 04 3500 dually.....



Jim / Spokane WA

 

[opiefire]

My truck has 11000 miles now. I notice oil on and under the fuel rail. I took the truck to the Dealer and they said it was fuel. They power washed it and said come back in a week to see if it is still leaking. A week later the said it was oil and order upper and lower valve cover gasket. Dealer replaced upper and lower valve cover gasket. In the process they smashed the front cooler fins all up... . another story I have only driven about 500 miles since and have not notice any more oil leak. Good luck.

 

[ttreibel]

You can comb the fins out with the right old comb and knife blade.



The TSB for the hose is here



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/19-008-03.htm