Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) oil leak

[KF6GUB]

Took my '97 Dodge diesel into the dealer to repair a leak at the front damper/pulley. They now tell me that there is a crack on front cover, over $500 for the cover replacement. I have an extended warranty. They already said that a front seal leak would not be covered. You think a crack on the front cover would be a different situation? To replace the seal it was over $1400 out of my pocket. Now that the problem is the front cover... what do you think? Thanx.

 

[Mactruck]

Sounds like it should be covered under the Cummins Warranty (100k - 5 years)



Update your sig - it will help identify your truck in terms of mileage and modifications.

 

[Rammin On]

Where is the crack? Sounds like the dowel pin may have come loose ... . if so ... the entire repair should be covered under the 100K warranty .....

 

[gitchesum]

Does it look something like the damage in the pictures on my site?



http://members.aol.com/hrrs994/kdp/

 

[KF6GUB]

Thanks, folks, for your prompt responses. I think the crack is on/in the gear housing cover. Now I drove that truck to the dealer; there were no unusual sounds or problems. Could the dowel have fallen out, cracked the gear cover, and then fallen to the side out of harm's way? I'm going over today before 5pm to discuss the issue with the dealer rep. Jim

 

[gitchesum]

That's what mine did when it fell out. I never did find that blasted pin.



I didn't even hear it fall out. Just got home and saw a puddle of oil under the truck. It's proably leaking down the gear housing and dripping off the A/C compressor and the front sway bar.

 

[KF6GUB]

To: Gitchesum

What you described is kind of how it was with mine. I was going to talk to Jeff (the go-to-guy at the dlrshp) about that pin today, but I ran out of time. That topic will be the first thing tomorrow on the phone with Jeff. I bet it's that pin!. Thanx

 

[illflem]

It for sure is the pin. Don't settle for anything less than 100% warranty coverage.

 

[CPFF]

Kdp Damage

If they do replace the alum. housing, be SURE they replace it with the updated version ( the hole has a step in it so the dowel cannot come out). I would not take their word for it - I would insist on seeing it myself. If they cover it this time, you can be sure next time it will be on your "nickel" if they use an old housing.



CPFF

 

[KF6GUB]

I saw it with my own eyes

It looked like gitchesum's photo of the broken gear cover. Mine is even "more broken". Geeze! I didn't want to think that it was caused by the dowel because the truck was running ok. Even with the "small" leak I was going to take a short trip. Man, I'm glad I did not.



The dealer is supposed to get back to me about who's paying. If they tell me I am, I'm taking pictures. (I just may take pictures regardless. ) I will post them on the internet for you folks to see them. If it hadn't been for you guys, I would not have asked the right questions. Thanx again. Jim



I do have an additional question though: Is the dowel pin supposed to protrude into the block away from the gear cover? Is it the problem that the dowel works its way back towards the cover and towards the front of the truck, eventually falling out? Thanx

 

[shendren]

i think 97 was probably the worst year for kdp's.....



you don't know when the kdp is going to let loose. no warning signs. that's why the first post at the top of every page is the location of a jig... wow.

 

[illflem]

Re: I saw it with my own eyes

Originally posted by Gubby

Is the dowel pin supposed to protrude into the block away from the gear cover? Is it the problem that the dowel works its way back towards the cover and towards the front of the truck, eventually falling out? Thanx

Yes to both questions. What happens is when the pin falls out it takes a Ferris wheel ride around on the cam gear, problem is there isn't enough clearance between the gear and case to fit the pin though, the case cracks or gets a hole. What can be worse but didn't happen to you (maybe) is the pin gets squeezed in-between the gear teeth when pushed against the case and continues it's ride in-between gears breaking teeth or bending the camshaft. Engine usually dies.

 

[KF6GUB]

They said no.

The dealer told me that I was to pay for the repairs--the replacement of the broken gear housing cover. I could not believe the rep said that to me. They had me going on a seal; they told me that was not covered by my warranty. I was going to pay for that. But when it came to something that is actually broken, I got real suspicious. I took pictures of the broken housing. I want you guys to see it. The break looks like what has been depicted in pictures here at TDR.



I found my warranty at home in the bag where I have kept all my receipts. Bingo: I'm covered! It actually says the a broken gear housing is covered. It does not say that an oil leak from a seal is not covered. They replaced an axle seal that was leaking under warranty.



I hate flim flam. I paid real good money to extend that warranty. How dare they. First thing tomorrow I'm calling Chrysler, Dodge, etc. We'll see. Thanx.

 

[gitchesum]

Good for you. Unfortunately, mine was way out of warrantee when it popped. I ahd to fix it myself. Much cheaper than the Dodge or Cummins shop.



If you don't mind, I would like a copy of the pictures for my personal site. I'd like to see the different types of damage these pins can do. Ya know, gotta educate the masses.

 

[KF6GUB]

To: gitchesum

It was your pictures that got me going. They match mine. If you want, I'll e-mail mine to you. That's probably the easiest way for me to get them to you. Man, the power of the internet. Thanks again. Jim

 

[KF6GUB]

On the phone to the big C

Right at the moment I'm on the phone to Chrysler, and the rep said she could not understand why I'm not covered. I'm on hold while she is talking to my local dealer. It's intense. Jim

 

[KF6GUB]

Guess what.

They are paying. The service manager at the dealer said that Chrysler told him that there was a computer upgrade last year, but not all appropriate data was transcribed. Therefore it looked as if my situation was not covered when in reality it was all along.



I was loaded for bear, but I ended up dealing with a mouse. No argument at all. Jim

 

[FATCAT]

Good job!

Another Squeeky wheel case.



Good job Gubby. I just had my KDP fixed (drilled hole and put in screew) so that it will not fall out. Mine was half way out when I had the job done so the cover had to come off, pound the pin back in, then finished the screw type fix.



I am so glad I did this since I have over 135,000 miles on my truck.



Once again, anyone out there with a 12 valver who has not had this done ... GET IT DONE SOON OR YOU'LL BE NEXT with a puddle of oil under the front of the engine.