timing cover gasket

[RonVpr]

I have a leak in my timing cover gasket that is dripping oil on my new driveway. My truck is an 04 Ram 2500 with 5. 9 305 hp engine. Is this something I can tackle myself? Has anyone paid to have it done? If so how much. It looks like a couple of pullies have to come off. Its winter here in Michigan. I can't have my truck out of service for more than a couple of days. Any help?

 

[rbattelle]

I don't think this is a particularly difficult job, although I haven't personally done it. But if I were you I'd wait for warm weather and a long weekend... just in case.

Ryan

 

[juicedcummins]

My truck was in for 5 full days last week for what looked like a timing cover leak. It was a seal a little further back than everyone realized and was a ton of work. They dealer had trouble with the cam gear [over a day] and now it sets a camshaft code consitantly even with a new sender.

Now it is being tore down again with a new camshaft ready to go in along with anything else they might need. [pretty sloppy work if they screwed up the factory cam. ]

If it is on warranty let the dealer bite this one, not worth the hassle.

 

[Hincka]

Mine is going in next week for the same thing. In talking to the service manager, he expects it to take nearly 2 days. From the conversation, it is not hard work just long work. You can make it easier on yourself and remove all the radiators, or work around them, either way takes about the same amount of time.

 

[MMeier]

My truck was in for 5 full days last week for what looked like a timing cover leak. It was a seal a little further back than everyone realized and was a ton of work. They dealer had trouble with the cam gear [over a day] and now it sets a camshaft code consitantly even with a new sender.

Now it is being tore down again with a new camshaft ready to go in along with anything else they might need. [pretty sloppy work if they screwed up the factory cam. ]

If it is on warranty let the dealer bite this one, not worth the hassle.

Which seal is "a little further back', as you say.

 

[JamesStevens]

Yes Juicedcummins if U could tell us which seal is a little further back please. My brother and I are going to tackle a leak on the front of his cummins this long weekend and we want to be sure to have all the gaskets/seals

 

[dan.poitras]

If it is in fact the front cover (no problem)

If it is the gearcase to block gasket it's a lot more complicated

The gearcase gasket requires the cam to be removed. It has been done by pulling the cam gear in place but it's just not worth taking the chance of damaging the gear or cam

 

[CPavlic]

Like Dan said, it its just the cover or crank seal leaking its not that big of a job. You just have to have the right tools and basic mechanic skills. If it is under warrenty, id check with the local dealer and see when they could get to it. It shouldnt be take more than half a day, especially for a decent tech. If you have to do it yourself, make sure you have a wrench to fit the fan clutch which needs to be thin and is probably the most odd tool needed. But the way i do it is to remove the fan and shroud, followed by the radiator. Then its just a matter of getting the pulleys off and all the ten mm bolts holding on the cover. It can be a little tricky putting it back on and getting the seal set right, but with a little patience can be easily done. One the cover is off, be sure to check all around the gear case for any leaks or cracks just to be sure.

 

[JamesStevens]

Ok thanx guys, the parts guy at Cummins told us to watch out for cracks on the cover, he didn't mention anything about the gearcase gasket, I hope thats not our problem. No warrenty the old girl (03) has 300,000 on her

Sorry for the hi jack < >

James