Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil leak rant...

[ToddStephens]

You ever have one of those days that just makes you wanna throw crap across the driveway? Back in July I got the dreaded P0216 code on my 02, which says "your VP44 is dieing. The real kick in the nuts is that I have fuel pressure gauges. I've always been told/read that as long as the Lift Pump puts out over 5psi at WOT, that would be enough to lubricate the VP44. Mine never dropped below 9psi. Anyway, I first tried rebuilding the VP44. That was a waste of time. So I bought a rebuilt one from Diesel Injection in Cincinnati, OH. I also put a Raptor 100 pusher pump on. Put it all together and PRESTO!!!!! Timing gear cover starts to leak at the gear housing. So I pulled all that crap off the front of the engine, cleaned the silicone from the gear housing, and cleaned the cover. I applied some Permatex high torque/high temp gasket maker around the cover and the gear housing. Put it all back together and retorqued. I didn't mess with the gear housing bolts because it didn't appear to be leaking (if it ain't broke don't fix it). Anyway, the cover still leaks in the same spot on the driver side about half way up the cover.



Maybe I screwed up using permatex and not Chrysler's stuff. Should oil even get that high in the gear housing? Anyone ever had a similar problem. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[georgej]

I think you did all you could to prolong the life of the VP44. Some of the 0216 codes are set because of electrical issues on the pump computer and I'm not sure what causes them. Old age? heat cycles? vibrations? all of the above? As for the leaks ,tell what year truck are we dealing with and have you check for a possible KDP?



George

 

[SnoKing]

Late 2001's and 2002's got a brass bore in the advance cylinder. NOT GOOD, most have or will fail. I replaced my pump at 56,000 miles or something like that. Runs great now. SNOKING

 

[ToddStephens]

The truck is a 02 non high output (235hp). I looked for the KDP and saw that it was still deep inside the gear housing. I went ahead and put a small punch mark at the hole opening to distort the hole enough to hopefully keep the dowel in place. I'll be pulling the timing cover off again this weekend to see if I can fix the oil leak, AGAIN! I'm not sure why Cummins didn't put a gasket behind the gear housing cover. I have never had luck with using only silicone. I'll give everything a more thorough look.

 

[BILLVO]

They used to use a gasket but it was a guaranteed leak waiting to happen sooner or later.



The best sealant on the market now is called



"The right Stuff" by permatex It works excellent on any surface .



Permatex Gasket Makers

 

[ToddStephens]

Well I fixed the leak. After re-removing the timing cover I discovered that I had actually bent the cover when I removed the VP44 gear (oops). Anyway, I bought some gasket material and cut out my own gasket. I put silicone on both sides of the gasket and put it back together. So far after about 200 miles, no leaks.