More oil leaks - Cummins C8.3

[pwhittle]

After successfully replacing my front main seal, I still have an oil leak that got noticeably worse on my last 500 mile trip. It emanates at the front (rear of coach) of the engine somewhere near the top of the oil pan. It does not look like the front seal or the timing cover gasket that were recently replaced.

After looking on QuickServe, I can only see two possible causes: leaking oil pan gasket, or leaking timing gear housing.

If it is just the oil pan gasket, do I need to remove the front (rear of coach) mount and cross member/tow hitch to get the oil pan to clear the underside of the engine and that cross member?

If I do remove the mount I will likely replace the front (rear of coach) vibration damper in the motor mount. Does that vibration damper just push in, or does it need a press?






Paul

[CountryFit]

tightening oil pan does not require removing anything. just give it a full around tightening. i did it last month, some were loose a bit.

[pwhittle]

Yes. Sometimes we overlook the simplest solutions and go straight to the complicated ones. I will try tightening the oil own bolts first.

Thanks

Paul

[CountryFit]

also check oil pressure senders.

[NHRA225]

Clean every thing off with Simple Green-or pressure clean and I mean Clean down to the paint- Tighten all of the bolts on the Front Cover--Oil Pan and try to isolate the leak or seepage, before even thinking about the removing the Front cover.

[pwhittle]

I already had the front cover off when I replaced the front main seal.

I will get it all clean and see where it is coming from.

Paul

[NHRA225]

Didn't you just do the Front Cover and Ba-lancer removal on here to replace the seal a few weeks ago ?

[rvarner]

Did exactly what you are doing only it was a CAT 3126E. Turned out to be the timing gear cover but looked like a front main seal or an oil pan gasket. Both replaced and leak got worse. Finally removed the radiator and cleaned the engine and low and behold, there it was. Lot of work for a $40 gasket.
Rich

[deandec]

Originally Posted by pwhittle

After looking on QuickServe, I can only see two possible causes: leaking oil pan gasket, or leaking timing gear housing.




Paul

Cummins West quoted me $1700 about 10 years ago to replace the gear cover and gasket. They said it was a common leak issue with the C8.3L.

One member of these forums suggested I spray the back of the gear cover with brake cleaner several times. Then spray some PermaSeal stuff on the back at least two times.

I spent the $6 and followed the suggestion. No leaks since.

[oldmattb]

Originally Posted by deandec

Cummins West quoted me $1700 about 10 years ago to replace the gear cover and gasket. They said it was a common leak issue with the C8.3L.

One member of these forums suggested I spray the back of the gear cover with brake cleaner several times. Then spray some PermaSeal stuff on the back at least two times.

I spent the $6 and followed the suggestion. No leaks since.

Do you recall specifically what sealer you used. I found Permaseal for pools, Permaseal for roofs, for concrete, for dental repairs, etc.. The only automotive Permaseal I saw was a car wax.

Do you mean the stuff that makes a boat out of an old screen door?

Matt B

[pwhittle]

When I recently replaced the timing gear cover (not housing) gasket, I used Permatex Ultra Grey RTV.

I don't think the cover gasket is leaking, but will know more this weekend when I clean it up and look closer.

Paul

[DonDee]

FWIW my 5.9 was seeping oil from the turbo oil return line.

[Papa_Jim]

I had the same kind of leak a few years ago. Turned out it was the timing gear housing gasket leaking from the top of the housing just above the water pump. Then it would trickle down and end up messing up the front of the oil pan. I didn't want to tear the engine down to fix that!

I tried silicone, didn't work. Finally, I removed the water pump and anything else in the way. I cleaned and cleaned and applied a nice caulk layer of Loctite 'The Right Stuff'. It's much like a silicone, but it's made to totally replace gaskets in engine assembly applications. It might have some polyurethene in it. I don't know. All I do know, it fixed it and I didn't have to spend a bunch of money to do it. Whew!

Jim

[deandec]

Originally Posted by oldmattb

Do you recall specifically what sealer you used.
Do you mean the stuff that makes a boat out of an old screen door?

Matt B

This looks like the stuff I used back then. It has gotten more expensive!

Permatex Spray Sealant (not Permaseal, my bad)

http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-82099...ct_top?ie=UTF8