Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Hi,
I have a 98. 5 2500 4X4. I ordered the truck new and it is my daily driver. I noticed the oil pan and the bottom of the bellhousing getting pretty wet with oil. The truck has 97,000 miles on it so I figured I would let the dealer diagnose and fix the leak under warranty. The dealer put die in the oil and I drove it for a week. They then diagnosed the leak as both the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket.
To make a long story short, the dealer had the truck 5 days and realized that they could not fix the leaks. The dealer claims that they have to raise the motor several inches to remove the oil pan. Unfotunately, the dealer does not have an engine hoist capable of lifting the Cummins. The FSM manual states that the transfer case, transmission (NV4500), flywheel, starter, backingplate and suction tube have to be removed to get the pan off. The FSM does not say anything about lifting the motor up. Certaintly the crossmember up front looks like it is causing a clearance problem. The dealer claims that Dodge advised them that raising the motor is the only way to do the job.
Here is my question (thought I would never get there, didn't you?)... ... . Does the motor really have to be raised? Has anyone here had similiar work done where the motor was not raised? Getting the suction tube loose with a limited space to drop the pan must be the issue. Any comments?
Thanks in advance for any insight you folks can provide. Meanwhile I have a cabbagehead dealer I need to deal with.
Robert Roschen
I have a 98. 5 2500 4X4. I ordered the truck new and it is my daily driver. I noticed the oil pan and the bottom of the bellhousing getting pretty wet with oil. The truck has 97,000 miles on it so I figured I would let the dealer diagnose and fix the leak under warranty. The dealer put die in the oil and I drove it for a week. They then diagnosed the leak as both the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket.
To make a long story short, the dealer had the truck 5 days and realized that they could not fix the leaks. The dealer claims that they have to raise the motor several inches to remove the oil pan. Unfotunately, the dealer does not have an engine hoist capable of lifting the Cummins. The FSM manual states that the transfer case, transmission (NV4500), flywheel, starter, backingplate and suction tube have to be removed to get the pan off. The FSM does not say anything about lifting the motor up. Certaintly the crossmember up front looks like it is causing a clearance problem. The dealer claims that Dodge advised them that raising the motor is the only way to do the job.
Here is my question (thought I would never get there, didn't you?)... ... . Does the motor really have to be raised? Has anyone here had similiar work done where the motor was not raised? Getting the suction tube loose with a limited space to drop the pan must be the issue. Any comments?
Thanks in advance for any insight you folks can provide. Meanwhile I have a cabbagehead dealer I need to deal with.
Robert Roschen
