Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Leak

[MBFARMS]

I was walking to my truck yesterday and noticed it was leaking oil. I looked under the truck and there was oil from the front sway bar all the way back to the trans and cover from frame rail to frame rail. :{ I took the overflow bottle down and there was very little oil in the bottle. The oil is only on the bottom part of the motor and there is no oil above 6 inches up on the block. I put a little extra oil in this time and may have overfilled it. Is it possible that the new oil came out the breather tube and was blown out the back of the bottle onto the engine? There was not a lot of oil on the bottle itself , but I saw where oil was right behind the bottle. Even if I had a oil pan gasket leaking would it get oil on the front swaybar? Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[macdaddy]

MB

I went through what you are going through last summer with my 99 on vacation. I noticed oil all over the oil pan,and sway bar. I first thought it was the breather tube so I extended and cleaned it up real good up in Wa st then drove it around 150 miles still leaked.



Soooooooooo I then suspected the oil dip stick tube I then replaced the O ring where it ties into the motor, and you guessed it still oil coming from somewhere :{



Not wanting to chance bigger problems on my way to Montana took it to a Cummins facility in Bellingham Wa. There they got out the BIG guns dye, black light and someone who knows what they are doing. It turned out to be the oil pan gasket $1100. 00 later I was on my way.



Soooooooooooooooooooo what I can tell you is oil leaks will have you jumping through hoops it's a total pain in the ***. Get some dye and a black light then look for the leak.



I hope you get it figured out.



Mac

 

[MBFARMS]

Thanks, I was thinking in that direction but really was hoping it was the bottle. I need to fix another setup and get rid of the bottle, but haven't done it. I am lucky if it is the oil pan gasket because the truck is still under warranty.

 

[BNeathery]

I had the same issue with mine at 97K. Dripped all over the front sway bar and blew back from there. Turned out to be the front main seal, was corrected by dealer under warranty. As much as I hate ti go to the dealer so far they have treated me right on warranty issues. Good Luck, Bill

 

[MBFARMS]

Truck is fixed.

It turned out to be the vaccum pump seal was bad. Took the tech a while to find it. Blew oil everywhere though.

 

[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??

Mine is leaking on the drivers side.



98 12 valve



THANKS

Mike In Maine

 

[rono]

My '01 had oil everywhere also, and it was the vacuum pump seal.

 

[VolsFan]

just replaced vacuum pump seal on my 99, leaked drops for several yrs, not enough to really worry about, and then about a month ago just let loose and started spewing oil. Goulds kit on it and good to go. Glad you found your leak and got it fixed

 

[PSpychalski]

Mine was the timing cover main seal. PITA to change. I DO suggest if yours is the main seal. Get a speedy sleeve for the crank shaft. Had a groove cut in by the seal. Clean it up, start the truck and with a good flashlight, look for the leak. Caution of the moving parts. Good luck.