Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) worried

[BTighe]

i was just under my truck after reading a post that a couple of people had found a 53 block in their 98's and one in a 97. couldnt find a 53 but did find alot of dirty oil on the front of the engine. i had not noticed before but it looks like it might be comming from the timing gear case right behind the fan pulley. is this the front main seal or worst, the KDP. any input will be very heplful in dianosing this problem. thanks.

 

[SOOT]

Probably just the gear cover seal, try tightening the bolts first.

 

[supeerman4422]

i had the same problem with my 98 12V it was just the gear cover, i tightened the bolts and it hasnt dropped oil since, i guess the bolts back themselves out because the engine vibrates so much

 

[Joe G.]

i guess the bolts back themselves out because the engine vibrates so much

The bolts behind the gear case cover are doing the same thing. If you have not blocked the KDP and loctited the gear case screws you REALLY should do that before something falls in the gears and causes some EXPENSIVE damage.

 

[BTighe]

joe, where do i get the kit to do the tab fix. i have cummins part #'s for a seal and a gasket. i think all i need is the tab. cant i get to the front seal after i pull the cover? thanks

 

[Joe G.]

The front seal goes in the cover. It's a PITA to change even on the work bench. E-mail me at -- email address removed -- to get the KDP repair instructions which include the specs to make a tab.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

gray RTV works great. they don't call it "gasket maker" for nothin'!



Forrest

 

[pwerwagn]

gray RTV works great. they don't call it "gasket maker" for nothin'!

Agree with that!

 

[Dave M]

My 97 had a bad oil leak below the front cover. Oil was all over the front end and I was 2 quarts low every month. I cleaned up engine and tabbed KDP and replaced front cover gasket (with grey RTV also on gasket) and front seal. I think the front seal was the major leaker, cause it fixed most of the leaking.



However, I still had a small leak from the vacuum pump to gear housing gasket at the lower mounting bolt area. It was tricky to find because the fan blew the oil from behind the gear housing towards the front of engine (go figure... geesh!) and up under the front cover seal and it looked like the front seal was leaking again. I cleaned it good and then seen it was coming from vacuum pump gasket lower mounting bolt (vacuum pump to gear housing gasket). I replaced that gasket and it stopped that leak.



I also had oil leaking from the valve covers and replaced the valve cover gaskets. That leak was soaking oil below the exhaust manifold all over that side of engine. Now my engine is leak free.



That fan will blow the oil all over so it can be hard to locate the source til you clean the engine real good.



If you do the KDP tab and replace front cover gasket and front seal it may clear up your leak.



By the way, I have a 53 block and no problems so far with 145k miles.



As has been said already, the KDP is more serious than the oil leak. If the KDP cracked your timing case it could cause a oil leak there but it would probably be a serious oil leak.



That's what I found with my oil leaks. Hope it helps. Good luck.



Dave

 

[pwerwagn]

I too have had to replace the vaccuum pump gasket. It leaked bad!