Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Mystery oil leak continued

[Coalsmoke]

Well, good news and bad. The bad (and ugly): the oil leak that I posted about last week is still a mystery. The good: it is deffinitely not the KDP. I pulled all of that front stuff off and there is no cracks or holes What I did discover was that the oil was leaking from the same area, but possibly it is coming from inbetween the block and the timing case? I don't know if this is possible, but it is coming from the KDP area, but not through the case if that makes any sense. I'll be taking the truck to Piers very shortly to have them perform the KDP jig fix on it. Oo.

 

[Smokin Dodge]

Unless you looked inside the front cover it could still be cracked my KDP fell out and it didnt crack the outside and I still had a bad oil leak from it cracking on the inside.

 

[Joe G.]

If it's a crack in the case or the KDP has fell out then the jig fix is a waste of time and money. You will just be blocking an empty hole.

 

[Coalsmoke]

oooooo just when I thought I was in the clear. Is there any way to findout whether the KDP is still intact? I don't have a lot of money, so I want to try to figure this out without throwing parts and 'fixes' at it. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[shendren]

take the front cover off and look and see if it is in.



then tab it.



doesn't take but 1-2hrs. not a bad job.



i'm not a mechanic (far from it), and i've done it.

 

[BV]

You will know if the pin is in place or not unless when you pull the cover. If the case is leaking then you need to pull the cover anyway.



Sorry for the news

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

If I were you ,I'd pull the cover to tab the pin and inpect the case. This way you will know. No guessing. If it is just a gasket problem try cleaning it up good with brake cleaner to get all the oil off and put some silicone gasket maker on it. There shouldn't be any pressure in that area so it might work... . Good luck

 

[Extreme1]

While you have the cover off, be sure to check the torque on the bolts that hold the timing case to the front of the block and replace the front seal if it's suspect.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Ok, looks like the tab method it is. I have a small shop at my disposal, so it shouldn't be too difficult. The oil spout looks pretty easy to remove and I'll measure the crank sensor before I pull it. My main concern is removing the crank pully and harmonic balancer without damaging it (or anything else). How do I safely go about this?

 

[Andy Redmond]

It's not a press fit, the alignment is the four cap screws (15mm socket) and the dowel in the center, the end of the crank is the "flange"



. 050 on the engine speed sensor.



95-110 ft lbs on the four crank pulley/vibration dampner bolts.



18 ft. lbs on the cover bolts.



The cover seal is best driven out of the cover (front of cover facing down). I have a fancy driver sold by Cummins and Miller tools. A drift used carefully will work, drive it in from the backside. . try to put it at a different spot, notice that groove on the the nose of the crank?



I also use a bit of red locktite around the outer seal circumference (sp), clean the nose of the crank seal goes back DRY.



Place the small end of the plastic seal spacer/alignment tool in the seal (small side towards radiator. When you place the cover back on the engine you will push the alignment tool out or pull it our towards the radiator, it will work! This allows for precise seal alignment so crank rubs the seal lip with uniformity.



I replace the cover gasket and tighten the bolts that retain the housing to the engine block.



Good luck,



Andy

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks Andy for the instructions, very much appreciated



A couple of questions,

The locktite is to keep the seal from moving in the cover?

The plastic spacer you refer to, will it come with the new seal?

 

[Andy Redmond]

I use the locktite to prevent possible oil leaks around the od of the seal, yes it does help retain it, but its easily driven out.



The plastic seal installer will come with the new seal.

 

[BBenz]

I recommend the TST tab kit. Just received mine and hope to install it this weekend. Came with the new seal, tube of gasket maker, some locktite, longer screw, tab and of course, excellant instructions with color pictures! Oo.