Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil leak any suggestions

[thaile]

For a while now the truck has had a small oil leak around the front gear cover up at the very top of it is what it looks to me like. Or it could be coming from behind the pump as I am not exactly for sure. The leak seems to be worse when the truck is run hard or pulled a lot then when I just drive around normally. Anybody know what this could be or is it maybe the headgasket leaking around behind the pump and making it look like an oil leak. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[RHARVEY]

Have you done the KDP fix yet??????



Rick

 

[thaile]

no not yet

I am going to go wash the motor down all over so that I can tell exactly where the oil is coming from.

 

[RHARVEY]

Run your fingers around the gear case to see if you find a crack!!!!



I hope you dont find one...



Rick

 

[thaile]

RHarvey

I have now washed the area and felt all the way around the gear housing as best I could in all the areas I could get to and didn't find any cracks whatsoever. Any other ideas.

 

[Joe G.]

It cracks behind the idler pully. Look here to see exactly where it is:



http://www.flex.net/~triplem/new/dowelpin.htm



The second and third pictures show it.

 

[Dreher]

I had a similar leak on my 96. I did a quick check and found I could turn one of the gear case bolt with my fingers. This was located right behind the fan pulley and not accessable with a socket without taking the pulley off. I found a couple others that were loose, and tightened them up. Not having time to pull the fan, I modified an open-end wrench to fit behind the pulley and tightened it up. No leak since in about 3000 miles. One of these days I'll get a chance to do it right.



Bob

 

[thaile]

I don't think that my case is cracked on my truck because the leak while slightly evident down there I believe by looking at the truck is coming from further up near the top of the gear cover on the left side where the case goes down behind the top pulley on the motor which has to be removed I will have to try the bolt idea. Keep the ideas coming I am trying to check as we go here. Dark now though. Thanks for all of the ideas so far. A crack like you showed should be rather evident no matter where it is in the case. Thanks though for the suggestion because I will look again.

 

[R.E. Miller]

Make sure to check to see, if you can, if the gasket is blown in or out, that happened to one of our service trucks. Unfortunately, the area that you describe is the normal crash landing spot for the dowel pin.



Russell

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

"Or it could be coming from behind the pump as I am not exactly for sure. "





If it looks like its coming from behind your pump,it could be that the tappet cover gasket slipped. It happened to my truck. Made quite a mess. Its a big banana too because you have to pull the pump to fix it right. You might try the tip spraying foot powder on your clean engine to pin point the leak. Good luck with it

 

[JHalderman]

oil leak

I'm real interested in what you find 'cause I have the same leak! It appears to be coming from just below the overflow valve and it's more of an annoyance than a problem (I like my engine spotless). I think mine might be coming from the large plug just below the overflow valve that looks to be removable with a 3/8's Allen wrench but I'm afraid to remove it until I find out if anything is going to fly outa' there. I also have cleaned the area real well and am watching to see the exact area of leakage. I'll let you know in the next day or so.

 

[bighammer]

JHalderman,



How about the oil supply line to the injection pump? It's a real short line that goes from the block to the pump. Mine loosened up a long time ago and made a big mess of things. Maybe a flashlight and inspection mirror will let you look down behind the pump

 

[radixr]

My Oil Leak!

Look for a drop of oil on the lower, vacuum/power steering pump assembly, mounting bolt. If you have one, you most likely need to replace the gasket between the assembly and the engine. When I replaced mine, there was no sealer on the gasket. The shop manual recommends using sealer on this gasket. Oo. Oo.

 

[thaile]

Still not exactly sure but I did as someone already suggested the other day when I had a few minutes and tried to tighten some of the bolts on the cover. I was surprised in the three that I could get to (motor being warm and pressed for time) all of them were very easy to turn at least 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. Whenever it dries up outside from raining I am going to check the rest of them. Still leakes some though. Could anybody give me a picture to show where the case usually cracks at that I would be able to see in a picture. I would really appreciate it.

 

[illflem]

KDP damage pictures- http://www.flex.net/~triplem/new/dowelpin.htm

 

[JHalderman]

oil leak

Thanks bighammer and radixer but the leak is in front of the oil supply line and it is above the vacuum pump. It appears to be coming from either the mating surface of the injection pump to the gear cover or I have noticed that the first thing that gets wet with oil appears to be the threads from the two hard-to-get-to studs holding the pump to the engine. I've tried to tighten them but they are already tight. Any suggestions? Injection pump gasket? Thanks guys for your help. This TDR is the greatest thing since Cummins!

 

[pstillo]

How much does a dealer charge to do this job (Timing cover)? My 97 ram was idling i heard a whine and a bang then saw a quart of oil on the ground. I have 57K on this cummins. The last thing i though was i would have a motor problem. I can see a dam bearing!

 

[illflem]

pstillo, don't even consider taking it to the dealer, go to Cummins.

It will still cost you about $1500.

 

[mstimac]

I just finished the KDP jig fix on my truck this evening. I've had an annoying small oil leak around the top portion of the gear case for the past few months. When I removed the fan hub I found that the bolts around the top and left side of the gear case were a little more than finger tight. Hopefully after I tightened them my oil leak will go away. The KDP was snuggly fit, no movement at all!!