Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Timing Housing oil leak

[SOOT]

Truck has a bad oil leak! Took 1. 5 gallons to cover 600 miles. The oil is hitting the fan and flying all over the place. Have had a couple mechanics look at and said that it's the timing housing leaking. One place quoted me $1100 to fix it. I know there's a ton of labor involved but i hate to spend that much on a $30 gasket. Any ideas on exactly what is involved and is it worth paying a shop?

Thanks

 

[hsmith]

If your oil leak requires removing the gear housing, it is a PITA. Cam removal, etc.

 

[SWC]

I had a similar leak on my truck but did not lose that much oil. I pulled the fan, rad which needed to be cleaned, and damper. It was fairly easy to get to the timing case cover. I was able to tighten about 5 bolts which hold the timing case against the front of the block. This solved the oil leak. The rate that you are losing oil I would wonder if part of the gasket between the case and block might be missing.

Stan

 

[CumminsPower98]

Are you 100% sure its not a broken case from KDP falling out? (Yes it can happen to some 24V trucks) That's a lot of oil loss for a bad gasket or loose bolts unless its about to fall off.

 

[JCyrbok]

Are you 100% sure its not a broken case from KDP falling out? (Yes it can happen to some 24V trucks) That's a lot of oil loss for a bad gasket or loose bolts unless its about to fall off.

Thats was my first thought too.



J-

 

[Curious Dave]

My '01 lost the gaskets in front of and behind the timing case. I was losing oil fast. I was stranded and needed it fixed because I did not have the down time or tools to do it myself. Let's just say that the small town I was in made some money off of me on that one. I lost the pan gasket a few years later. After losing the head gasket a couple years later I finally had enough miles on it that I got another engine. We'll see how this one does.

 

[SOOT]

Are you 100% sure its not a broken case from KDP falling out? (Yes it can happen to some 24V trucks) That's a lot of oil loss for a bad gasket or loose bolts unless its about to fall off.

not 100% sure, but I've had 3 mechanics look at it and they said the gasket around the housing and didn't mention a broken housing. I'll probably end up taking it to a guy that a friend recommended, as I don't have a good place to work on it for a whole day.

thanks for the responses