Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil pan leaks

[JSellers]

Hi gang,



I'm wondering if oil leaks are frequent among our trucks. My 2001 seems to be leaking at two, possibly three, sections along the oil pan mounting flange. I haven't cleaned the underside yet to verify, but there's enough to keep it wet. I don't think all of the oil is from my blowby tube, since that hangs lower, about the level of my tie rod.



The leak isn't enough to drip while the truck is parked, so it's probably not a lot. I'm running my oil change intervals about 10-12k miles (synthetic), and the level doesn't require extra oil added until around 9-10k miles. So, I'm guessing most of the seepage is happening while running down the road.



How common is this? I'm wondering if I should trust a service organization (either dealer or Cummins) to make the repair, or if it will just create more problems. I'm assuming here that a new pan gasket/sealant would need the engine lifted, since the crossmember would prevent replacement with it in the truck?



Should I just live with it? It's not a lot of oil, after all.



What say you all?



Thanks,

John

 

[GEdwards]

My 01 wasn't loosing any oil, but it was definitely seeping enough to make the pan wet.



Torque spec is 18 ft lbs



I checked mine and they were all like 7-12 ft lbs.



I tightened mine up to 18.



Seems to be better now.

 

[obert]

Mine has leaked ever scince the short block replacement in '01. Enough to be wet, looks bad, but never had to add oil. I was at a Dyno day in Dec. and the operater was getting mad cause all the dodges kept loosing the reflector tape for the RPM pickup. the Vibe-dampers were all too oily and cold... .

 

[Bob Cochran]

Mine is not leaking at all with just over 90k miles for waht it is worth.

 

[FourBarR]

mine not leaking 403650kms.

 

[HookMeUp]

I believe it was common for the 24V. Mine was leaking, took it to the dealer. Repaired for free under the powertrain warranty. If your mileage isn't over 100K you should be able to get done that way also.

 

[JessePayne]

same here my 2001 has some wet oil spots around the pan. not enought to drip just enough to bug me every time I look at it. I am gonna try and torque the bolts down and see if this helps

 

[monkeyman]

Mine has been leaking since 80,000 miles, now over a 100,000. Was expensive to fix has engine had to lifted to do it right.