PESKY OIL LEAK

[COBRAJET]

I figured I wouldn't brag on this, but the dealer has had one shot at fixing it. The truck started to leak oil off the back of the oil pan after a 550 mile trip to OK and back for a golf tourney. They had the truck Tues/Weds and replaced the rear main. I drove it today about 350 miles. When I got back I looked under it and it is leaking oil again. It is is not dripping off the pan now, but is running down the front of the transmission and dripping off the front of the case. It is engine oil. Any ideas. I talked to the dealer and am returning it tomorrow. He claims they see very few oil leaks at this spot and will likely have to pull the engine to see where it is coming from. Sounds exciting... . CJ

 

[DMarriott]

Cobrajet
On my first oil change, I thought I had an oil leak on my truck but I didn't. Turns out it was the blow by bottle, the oil from the bottle would be blown back by the wind nad it would ride down the oil pan gasket and collect in the back and drip. May not be your problem but it is something to look at.

Don

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2001 Dodge Ram QC Black Sport

Member Great Lakes TDR

 

[C. Ludwig]

Mine was leaking from the valve cover. The service guy told me on the hpone it was probably the valve cover. I thought yeah right, what does he know! Before taking it in I crawled on top of the motor and wedged my hand behind the head and could feel the trail of oil. They did replace the valve cover gasket and my driveway has never been cleaner.

A side note is that, at some point, the o-ring on the oil fill cap became pinched between the cap and valve cover. There was quite a bit of oil that found it's way out. You'd notice this, as it was very obvious when I popped the hood, but just something to keep in mind. These things have so much crankcase pressure you've got to keep them sealed up tight.

Chris

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2001. 5 2500 LWB Quadcab 4x4 Auto 3. 54 Scotty Air

 

[COBRAJET]

I checked both of those places. They are dry as can be. Definitely at the back of the engine between the engine and transmission... . CJ

 

[Guest00]

I'll hve to check the manual but I think they have to pull the engine for a rear main seal. Sorry to hear it as no one likes the dealer to have a chance of screwing the truck up while attempting to fix it.

PICK YOUR DEALER WITH PREJUDICE

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2K, 2500, Quad, SB, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T w/ DTT VB, TC, TC SAVER and AUX COOLER , REESE 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, MAAP NERFS, BFG-TA's, 9000's,TORQUS MAXIMUS 505 lbft ECM, stealth DD2's, Bully Dog Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro, boost & transmission, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, AFE filter, GEAR VENDORS OD, TAYLOR WING onboard.
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[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 05-03-2001). ]

 

[HoleshotHolset]

From what I understand, the rear main seal can be changed with the engine still in the truck. The transmission has to be separated from the engine and at the very least set back far enough to get in there and change out the seal.

There is a seal retainer plate that needs to be taken off and from there it's kinda elementary. Geez, if it's that easy... why is my rear main seal still leaking?



Matt - new rear main seal in center console for 2k miles now

 

[forr]

COBRAJET



Mine 'weaped' for the first 7,000 miles, and only while the engine was running. I kept a close eye on it and it stopped. Dry oil pan for the last 10k and it never left any spots in the driveway. Regardless, my dealer heard from me right away. You're in the right to insist on no leaks, especially if it is the rear main seal and the engine has less than 20k. The dealer's shop should let you know their plan of attack before you turn over the truck for 'exploratory surgery'. While I've never heard of Chrysler shops doing this, some time ago another dealer shop recommended an oil additive (stopleak) on a new family car. Phooey! If its new, it shouldn't leak like a seive.



As to changing the rear seal without pulling the engine... I've had and heard of reasonable success with small block Chevy's but I don't think that comparison is very good.



Goodluck!



2001 ETH Quad 4x4, 3500, 3:54's, 6spd,etc.