Oil Leak and Gasket Problem

[DBCooper]

Was under the hood today trying to locate a very small leak. Well, I think I found it. The gasket between the front gear case and the block (not the cover and case) is literally blown out in a small area. Since this isn't a pressurized area I can only think that it was installed wrong. My question is this: can I replace this gasket without removing the cam, and all that goes along with that? Thanks again for the help.

Dan

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You couldn't pull the housing out far enough to get it clean of gasket material, etc. Let me mention two things: (1) the gasket will have a bulge as made near the top, to the drivers side of the fan. (2) clean the area with mild spray solvent like Mopar non chlorinated brake cleaner, blow dry, and goop on some black silicone RTV. As you noted, it isn't pressurized so sealing should be relativgely easy if you get the area clean.

 

[Deezul1]

Maybe you could you clean it real good with brake clean or something and use a good gasket grade silicone on it with out losening anything up and it may quit leaking.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Make sure your crankcase breather tube isn't kinked and allowing blow-by pressure to accumulate in the crankcase. This could be why the gasket blew out, if thats what happened. Slap some RTV on it and call it good--unless you feel like removing the cam to change the gasket.

 

[A Johnson]

You could pull only the cam gear, you would still have to pull radiator and charge air for enough room to get a puller on the gear. Then to get the gear on you have to heat it to slip it back on the cam ,while fighting the crank gear, and making sure you don't blow the cam plug out the back of the block. Its not easy but can be done. Personally I would try the silicone/sealer method first.

 

[DBCooper]

Thanks for the replys. I'm going to try the clean and goop method before I get too excited about it. The leak is small. Evan, I'll check the breather. Last I looked it was fine, but haven't seen it lately.

Dan