Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil leak

[bheitler]

I have a 2001 24 valve with a oil leak around the shaft that the connects the vacuum and power steering pumps. I believe they call it the adaptor shaft. The dealer wants $1225. 00 for a new pump. Is there a seal that can be replaced or is there another way to fix it? The pump works fine and the leak isn't bad, about a quart in 3,500 miles, but it sure makes a mess. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[emjay]

That's not covered by your warranty (Dodge or Cummins)?

 

[dremelts]

Neither Cummins nor DC offers replacement parts for the vacuum/power steering pump assy, but the seal is a standard 38mm od x 28mm id x 7mm thick with double lip viton material. NAPA may have it - I got one at Motion Industries (a place that sells bearings, seals, gears, pulleys etc). However, that may or may not solve the problem - others have reported that the leak soon came back.



I recently replaced the seal on my vacuum pump and thought I had the leak fixed. For about a month I wasn't getting any drips from the vicinity of the vac. pump except from the breather tube. Then, while returning from a trip to South Carolina I noticed some oil on the ground when I stopped for fuel one time. I looked underneath and found the engine covered with oil on that side. :{

 

[bheitler]

The local Dodge dealer says the warranty only covers the drive train and this isn't part of the drive train. I bought the truck used with an aftermarket warranty, they say the same. I think I'll spend a couple of bucks on a seal and replace the one that leaks. I'm wondering if there isn't a rought spot on the shaft that wears the seal and then it starts leaking. I'm planning to polish the surface where the seal bears on the shaft and see what happens.

 

[jmadden]

If it is the same part# as the Y2K the vacuum pump is available from Cummins for ~$605... and available from NAPA ~$444. The pump is made for Cummins by WABCO (european).



I went w/ the seal replacement instead and the Cummins folks helped me track down the seal and a bearing shop just up the road. Only been in for ~1500 miles, but so far so good. Replacement took me about 6-hours including the time to look for the tools I forgot (fortunately had some up north already), cleaning the oil off of everything (2 months of leaking leaves oil EVERYWHERE!), and dinner in the middle of it all.



The markings on the original seal include:



ANGUS (might be the mfr. )

GACO (also a possible mfr. )

DPSM. 28387V (size & material)



Go to a bearing shop or order a seal on line... most can cross reference with the original part #:



www.metric-seals.com

www.absoluteseal.com

www.rcbindustries.com



Good luck!



jm

 

[mgoncalves]

I am waiting for a vacuum pump and seal to come in for my truck at the dealer. How common is this?

 

[JCyrbok]

Dont want to sound stupid, But....

Where is the "shaft that connects the vacumm and power steering pumps" located at.



It wouldnt be below the VP would it? Recently while doing maintenance and inspect on my truck I noticed what looked like oil or fluid on a shaft that runs rearward from the timing cover and below the VP. The shaft is about 2-3 inches long and runs between two brackets and had fluid on the top of it and near the front. I wiped it, didnt feel wet just "greasy" and didnt smell like diesel. I checked acouple of days later and it was the same and in the same location/orientation ( shaft did not spin or miraculously ended in same spot)



Is this the shaft/pumps in question? Will my truck Blow Up! lol



If this is not it, anyone have any Idea what this is?



Thanks

J-

 

[bheitler]

Thanks for the input on the oil leak. I've purchased the seal through my friendly NAPA guy but haven't gotten around to putting it in yet. It shouldn't be too hard and is a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the whole unit. Is there a part number from NAPA for the replacement pump? I figure I have nothing to lose except some time if replacing the seal doesn't work.

 

[jmadden]

JCyrbok -- sounds like the shaft... but it's too dark to go out and look. Just look for the power steering pump in front of and below the fuel filter and lift pump (the cap on the reservoir tends to stand out w/ the yellow lettering). I never saw fluid from the top only from the bottom. You might check you P/S connections... there is also a stainless oil line running to the vacuum pump (can only see it from the bottom) that people say has occasionally loosened up... but if you see fluid on the shaft it does rather sound like the seal. As long as you check the oil it should do anything other than make a mess... mine was leaking for ~6k miles, left oil everywhere... added ~2 quarts during that time.



bheitler -- you can get the NAPA part# at www.napaonline.com

When you replace the seal check the P/S pump's shaft for rough spots or imperfections... anything that might damage your new seal.



jm

 

[JCyrbok]

Warranty?

Someone said that this ISNT covered under warranty by either DC or Cummins? I'm still under my 36K warranty and have an extra 50K tacked on, plus the Cummins 100K. I'm the original owner of the truck, brand new off the lot with 13 miles, if this makes a difference. I only have 21K on her now. 1200 sounds outragous for the dealer to do something that should be covered under warranty.



Anyone know if this is or isnt covered?



J-

 

[jmadden]

JCyrbok -- should be covered under the DC (factory) bumper-to-bumper warranty (and I would expect your extended warranty) unless you have elected to become your own warranty station through vehicle modification. The vacuum pump is not covered by the powertrain or Cummins engine warranty.



My experience went like this. Cummins did the troubleshooting. I called the 5* dealer and asked if the Vacuum Pump was covered by the Cummins engine warranty. They ran my VIN and said the vacuum pump was covered. Made an appointment for service. Took the vehicle in and they said since they had not done the troubleshooting there could be up to an $82 charge if it was for something out of warranty. They look at the vehicle, call me and say they think it is the power steering... indicated Cummins said it was the vacuum pump so they look again and agree it is the vacuum pump... it is not under warranty despite their earlier statement that it was... $1200+ if I want it fixed. Needless to say they were not authorized to perform the repair and it is one more dealer I won't work w/ in the future.



jm

 

[CUMAPART]

After reading this post I went out popped the hood and took a look at the described shaft that runs from the vac pump to the power steering pump/res. Yeah it's not dripping wet but it definetly has the described greasy residue when I whipe my finger on it. Checked fluid level in ps res and it's fine. Too cold to crawl underneath with drop light but I think that if this thing is leaking and I don't have 36000 yet it better damn well be covered under warrany.

 

[Wheaties]

Re: Warranty?

Originally posted by JCyrbok

Someone said that this ISNT covered under warranty by either DC or Cummins? I'm still under my 36K warranty and have an extra 50K tacked on, plus the Cummins 100K. I'm the original owner of the truck, brand new off the lot with 13 miles, if this makes a difference. I only have 21K on her now. 1200 sounds outragous for the dealer to do something that should be covered under warranty.



Anyone know if this is or isnt covered?



J-

J,



Mine was. Bought my truck new and had it replaced at approximately 25-30k. The dealer honored the warranty and swapped it for a new one, no questions asked. I recall he said it was expensive, something like $800+ not counting labor.



Matt

 

[CUMAPART]

Matt, what exactly did they swap out?

 

[jmadden]

Matt -- did you have the Edge Comp in at the time?



CUMAPART -- you may need to pull your Edge at the very least or become your own warranty station as others are fond of saying.



Good luck!



jm

 

[CUMAPART]

jm,

EZ is coming off tomorrow along with BHAF. Gonna put her back to stock b/c I don't need any flack from the stealer. My buddy took his ETH in for the dealer to check things out and they wanted to void his warranty for an exhaust brake! They thought that it was a mod to his turbo!!! Scares me sometimes to think who is working on our trucks. Yeah I know not all of them are that bad but it still scares me.

 

[RichB59]

Had the same

problem a couple weeks ago and got it replaced under warranty at 35400 miles after four trips to the dealer. I looked yesterday and still ok. They had replaced a hi press PS line before for the same leak. I told them they were wrong but they insisted. This time I had to go show the tech the leak and they finally did the job. If I wasn't under warr. I would surely be looking for just the seal. The funny thing is that DC can use aftermarket parts for warr if they get prior auth. npn parts are ok to fix problems. I wrote warr claims for Chry. for years so I speak from experience although things might have changed.





LOL RichB (npn means no part number)

 

[Wheaties]

Originally posted by CUMAPART

Matt, what exactly did they swap out?

They swapped the whole unit, that is the power steering, vacuum pump, and the common shaft as a single piece. I asked them why they didn't just change the seal and the answer was this was what D/C directed them to do as the repair.



I had the Edge EZ then, conveniently left at home. It wouldn't have affected the seal, but why give them an excuse?



So far, no more leaks. Knock wood!

 

[CUMAPART]

Well, got up this morning pulled off the BHAF and the EZ then headed to the stealer. I went up to the counter and told the guy my situation he said that next week they could take a look at it. He said that they have to diagnose it and then we will see what's up. I said no problem and set up the appointment. Then I heard one of the mechs behind me say that's an easy grand. I turned around and said 00nope DC is paying for this one under the 3/36. Got to BSing with him while he was tearing apart a trans and he asked if I had the hi idle feature yet? I said nope and he asked if I wanted it. I told him he could install it next week when my truck came in. He then said hang on a sec got up washed his hands grabbed his coat and little box and said where's your truck? We went outside and he programmed it in and said nice truck wanna see mine? We walked up the street and his is a 2001 with 5" stacks, EZ, gauges on the pillar and a mega cannon. He fired it up so I could hear it and then he showed me how the hi idle worked on his. BSed with him some more and found out it would be him or his brother who has a 98CTD that would be working on mine. He said his dad has a CTD also. What a relief I thought to myself a DC mechanic who understands the bombing bug will be working on my truck. A guy that likes his work and appreciates what he's workking on. Hats off to him Oo. Sorry so long but my day couldn't have gone any smoother

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

seal

Kinda scary how many have this problem. What if the new one they replace lasts as long as your first one. One under warranty one your problem??? Sounds S***Y! Seems like at about 30,000 or so guys are changing them. thats not a lot but by 60,000 you better save up some money for just repairs. I dont know what do yall think?