Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Pan Gasket Leak

[Shelby Griggs]

Noticed that I just started leaking pretty good from the left side of the engine. Dealer says it is the pan gasket, which it looks to be to me also. Several hundred $$$$$$$$$$ to fix. The book has 8. 5 hours of labor, can't pull the pan because of the location of the pickup internally coupled with the non removable cross member on the frame. Something like $800, they were fixing another one while I was there today. Covered to 100K, which I just passed last week.



Oh well, save my nickles I guess. Just venting, I don't see any solution other than to replace the gasket, and It does look to be a chore.



Shelby

 

[JBHale]

Shelby, try retorquing the pan bolts first, mine was leaking pretty good ,retorqued to 20ftlbs and the leak stopped and hasn't returned. I did notice quite a few were on the loose sidewhen I did it . Its worth a shot.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Definitely worth a shot, I don't know if the dealer tried that or not, however they did say that re-torquing them usually does not fix the leak. Apparently there is a service procedure out to add some silicon to the gasket when replacing and from that I gather this isn't an uncommon problem.



Shelby

 

[waldo]

I did my brothers oil pan on his 12 valve. I took out the bolts for the motor mounts and jacked up the motor to get the pan out. It was a tight fit but it worked. Took about 4 hours on my back in the garage.

 

[skintback]

First time on TDR. Mine is leaking bad on the left side. Took it to Dodge and they said that it was coming from my crankcase breather. They clean it out and add dye to the motor and charge me 15. 00 to do it. (They said that ot was blowing down and running back to the oil pan. I told them no way. I told them if it is that some is bad wrong inside the motor. ) Took it back for the 2nd time w/ the dye in it and they said it was the rear main seal. Went home that night got the black light out and it is coming out around the oil pan gasket by the cross member. Tighting the bolts and is leaking. Going to find a Dodge dealership that know something about CUMMINS and how to fingd oil leaks. (86,000 miles)