Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil leaking from the front cover, how hard to fix???

[1 Broke Dad]

Hi guys. I have been trying to find an oil leak on my truck and it looks like it is coming out of the front timing cover on the drivers side. It is not coming out of the stamped metal cover. It looks like a cast piece behind it that has a gasket between it and the block. How much of a PITA is it to pull all this off and replace the gasket?



Thanks for the help.

 

[GAmes]

Does it look like it is leaking where the gear case attaches to the block behind the injector pump? If so check to see if the brace bolt towards the rear of the injector pump is missing. If I remember right (no where near my truck right now) it is above the P/S pump.

 

[dodgeguy44]

Mine looked like it was leaking in the same area till I washed it all off and dried it then took it for a short drive. I found it was leaking from between the timing cover and the aluminum cover and not from the aluminum cover and block.



I hope yours is the same.



Resealing the one to the block involves removing the timing gears, camshaft and related components. A real "PITA"! :{

 

[KYOUNG]

Has your KDP been addressed??

 

[1 Broke Dad]

Thanks guys. I'm not sure if the KDP has been fixed yet or not. I will check some of the other suggestions also. If it is the aluminum cover to the block, can I clean it and put some permatex or something like it over it to get me by till I can pull the whole thing apart?



Thanks again.

 

[WDaniels]

Broke dad,

Yes, but if the gear case is broken, most likely your kdp has come out, got caught in the front gear train of the engine and then spit out against the case breaking it. It is important that the dowl pin be in place. There is information on the site here on how to do it and if you have a shop book, it'll tell you how to do it. I did mine in about 1. 5 weeks, but I took my time, right up to the end when I had to rush.

WD

P. S. When you put the gasket back on the gear case cover, use the same sealant on the gasket and case that Cummins does. Its called Anarobic(sp) sealand or some such and is great. A little expensive but worth it. It comes in a 6 oz tube and is pink. Hope this helps.

WD

 

[JGK]

1 Broke Dad,



If the leak is indeed between the case and the block, you're in for a big project. You can try to clean it and stop it with sealer from the outside, but that is really only temporary. This is apparenlty a somewhat common problem with 12-valves.



You may even be able to stop it for a while by removing the cover and tightening the case bolts. But when the time comes to address it properly, plan on shooting a weekend. It's a significant bit of surgery.



To replace the gasket behind the case means you have to remove it. That means the p-pump, vacuum/PS pump, front bumper, radiator brace, radiator and intercooler, damper, fan, case cover, and finally the cam has to be removed. To pull the cam the rockers are removed and the tappets pulled up and held in place with wooden dowels. Then you remove the case and replace the gasket. Now put it all back together!



When I did mine I chose to put in a Piers cam just for fun. And, of course, kill the KDP if not done already.



J.

 

[GAmes]

I did the same thing JGK did, including the Piers cam, only I paid to have it done. It was while removing the injector pump that we discovered the rear mounting bolt was missing. My theory is the weight of the pump distorted the case enough to cause the leak. Any thoughts on that Jay?

 

[Bob V]

You might check for loose bolts, that is how I fixed my '97 when it was leaking there.

 

[JGK]

GAmes,



Generally, the leak is down low, just above the oil pan on the driver's side. I suppose its possible the pump weight could cause distortion, but when we fixed mine, we found the gasket was squished funny and distorted enough right in the area of the leak to allow the oil to leak by. So it didn't appear to be from the case distorting in such a way as to open a gap, but maybe.



Whatever the reason, replacing the gasket is a pain! On the other hand, if you have the time and money, its a good time for a cam, and possibly o-rings and head studs. Do it all at once!



-Jay