Oil Leak help please

[Yo Hoot]

I noticed an oil leak up front. The oil is accumulating on the a/c compressor. I have a feeling it's the engine crank seal. Here is s fuzzy pic.



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[DE Jeeper]

Any oil running down the filter? The oil line to the turbo may be leaking. Mine is doing something similar, one of the fittings is drippign, But it is a PITA to get to. If that is not it you may have to tighten the oil pan bolts. I have given up on chasing down the rest of my leaks.



Aaron

 

[JasonMcNabb]

same leak

I have the same leak starting at 180,000 km. A few wet drips along the front edge of the pan and along the compressor like you.



I will hopefully take another look tomorrow but my guesses are loose pan bolts (easy to tighten, gotta check the torque on these), and then I'm looking at the front seal as the next possible culprit?



Any other suggestions?

 

[SRubenstein]

Any chance you have a double gasket on the oil filter? The placement on the filter is terrible on these things. I always prefill my filters and the slightest wobble during install, oil goes everywhere.

 

[rbattelle]

Does it leave drips on the driveway?

I've had a "wetness" in that area for the last 70000 miles, at least. Never leaves any oil on the ground.

Ryan

 

[Yo Hoot]

Still haven't been able to get this leak fixed. I had the front gear cover and crank seal replaced. That didn't do it. It looks like it's coming from the front corner of the oil pan at the intersection of the front gear cover. I'm wondering if I clean it up with solvent and apply a sealant?

 

[Scooby]

What is the torque setting on the oil pan bolts?

 

[Yo Hoot]

What is the torque setting on the oil pan bolts?

I did retorque last year but no change. I don't remember the value. I'll look it up unless you know and do it again.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Looks like 21 ft-lbs is the final torque.

The manual says you have to take out the transmission to remove the pan. If I did have to replace the pan gasket is there a trick without removing the trans?

 

[rbattelle]

It might be possible to lower the pan enough to slip in a new gasket without removing the transmission. I'm not sure.

Ryan

 

[Yo Hoot]

OK got some pics.... any suggestions where the oil is leaking from?

It's not the pan. I did a thorough cleaning and removed the pan bolts. I cleaned up the bolts in acetone and cleaned out the holes with alcohol. I put RTV on the bolts and re torqued. I also wiped some RTV on the corner of the pan/engine interface.

Next day... pretty obvious the oil is not coming out of the pan. It's coming from somewhere higher. The front cover and front main are just done. It's either the gear case or something above leaking. Any suggestions?

BTW it leaves a puddle about 2" dia. everytime I park.

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[rbattelle]

Maybe where the oil filter and cooler assembly bolt into the block? Might run down and toward the front of the engine. Looks like some stains in that area in the photo.

Ryan

 

[Yo Hoot]

You can't really see anything. I'll have to take a look at how much I have to disassemble to get in there.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I am quickly coming to the conclusion that the gear case is leaking. As you can see in this drawing the oil is coming from above. I did a big maintenance stint this Saturday. Replaced the water pump, belt, hoses, coolant and dif fluids. While I had the air cleaner off and the water pump out I removed the alternator. No sign of a leak. It only leaks when it's running. I cleaned everything up with alcohol and put RTV along the edge of the gear case. This morning since it didn't run it was dry as a bone. I drove to work, climbed under and low and behold, oil running in the corner of the alternator bracket and gear cover. It seams the gear cover is leaking up high on the left side only when the engine is running. I did torque those bolts a little more but it didn't help.

Next step... Remove air cleaner, remove alternator, remove water pump. Clean up with solvent and RTV the joint. I'm using Permatex gear oil RTV. The stuff really grabs.

Maybe some day I'll do it right id this doesn't buy some time. Too big of a job for this level of a leak.

The second photo is a picture from another site. I believe the leak is from the area of the gear case where the oil pump is.

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[sellisrulz]

Great info here guys, thx. Will have to investgate mine, just started leaking.
Just did radiator, h2o pump, etc.

 

[Wiredawg]

May I suggest taping or securing a strip of rag along the seam of the cover? Then drive it and see where the cloth is damp.



wiredawg

 

[Yo Hoot]

That's a great idea.

 

[GAmes]

It is certainly possible that the gear case gasket is leaking. If you had an older engine I would suggest the KDP had bit you. To replace it requires removal of the cam, so it is not an easy fix. Since the oil is not under pressure there may be an external sealing substance that will do the trick.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Yea I need to take some time and take some parts off to gain access.

 

[DODGEDADDIE]

Mine seems to be leaking around the Timing Cover Housing Plate!!

Not 100% sure yet ,,but under side is covered,,blowing back from some where??

Is this gasket hard to replace??

But mine is leaking on the drivers side.



98 12 valve



THANKS

Mike In Maine