Help locating oil leak
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Help locating oil leak
Hi all. I have discovered a new oil leak. It seems to be about a quart and a half lost so far this week with about 500 miles traveled.
The leak is on the front of the motor. The valley is bone dry. At first I thought it was the non serviceable plug on the HPOP. I placed a folded shop towel under it and it is still dry. It seems to be coming from either above the water pump or behind the crank pulley. The path the oil leaks down made me think at first it was coolant and the new water pump was leaking again but it is definitely oil. Does not leak a drop if it is not running. Not a drop as it sat for two days. Today I had to use the truck and see more oil on a new piece of cardboard underneath.
I can try to get some pics if that helps.
Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks
The leak is on the front of the motor. The valley is bone dry. At first I thought it was the non serviceable plug on the HPOP. I placed a folded shop towel under it and it is still dry. It seems to be coming from either above the water pump or behind the crank pulley. The path the oil leaks down made me think at first it was coolant and the new water pump was leaking again but it is definitely oil. Does not leak a drop if it is not running. Not a drop as it sat for two days. Today I had to use the truck and see more oil on a new piece of cardboard underneath.
I can try to get some pics if that helps.
Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 4
From: Gary,Indiana
It sounds like it could be the low pressure oil pump. But what you need to do is narrow it down alittle bit more by taking some brake cleaner or something clean the area and see where the highest point of the leak is. Because it could also be the hpop reservoir gasket or if it is coming from the front of the head it could be the oil galley plug orings.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
I am pretty certain it is oil. It is very black and has the oil smell.Also I am just below the add mark on the dip stick after about 900 miles on this oil change. I can see the wetness around the crank pulley, drips down the lower rad hose and it looks wet also above and around the water pump. I had to replace the water pump about 2-3 months back. Also just got through doing the oil cooler reseal last month. I had the HPOP off this past summer to do the on serviceable plug that was leaking.
Thanks for the replys so far. I will take your advice about the cleaner tomorrow and see what I can find.
Thanks for the replys so far. I will take your advice about the cleaner tomorrow and see what I can find.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Just got to cleaning the leak area up. The oil is leaking from behind the crank pulley. I let it run after I got it cleaned up and after about 5 minutes of run time I shut it off and just watched fir a few until it showed up, slowly just started to ooze out from behind that bottom pulley.
I also did a taste test of the oil and to my taste buds it tasted like I ate some vasaline or something like that. I am not sure what it should or should not taste like. Still got this slick feel in my mouth
. The things we do
So where do I go from here? I have had this truck just at three years and have just been doing maintanence and fix stuff when it breaks. TIA
I also did a taste test of the oil and to my taste buds it tasted like I ate some vasaline or something like that. I am not sure what it should or should not taste like. Still got this slick feel in my mouth
. The things we do So where do I go from here? I have had this truck just at three years and have just been doing maintanence and fix stuff when it breaks. TIA
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
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From: Semper Fi tell I die!
HAHA! i know that feeling well! anyhow compare the taste to a fresh bottle of oil taste that you used when you changed the oil last. thatll tell you if its the same or not.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
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From: Gary,Indiana
OK guys you need to stop tasting things that should never be put in your mouth !! LOL Makes me think about when I was a kid there was a kid down the street that would lick the "Yellow Snow" 
Well it sounds like the low pressure oil pump. You can see from this photo of the front cover where the oil pump mounts. I would also double check around the cps to make sure it isn't leaking there and dripping down to the crank.
Engine Front Cover 97-03 - Riffraff Diesel Performance
So if it is the oil pump here is the best pump to use.
Melling M208 Low Pressure Oil Pump LPOP - Riffraff Diesel Performance
LOL Makes me think about when I was a kid there was a kid down the street that would lick the "Yellow Snow" Well it sounds like the low pressure oil pump. You can see from this photo of the front cover where the oil pump mounts. I would also double check around the cps to make sure it isn't leaking there and dripping down to the crank.
Engine Front Cover 97-03 - Riffraff Diesel Performance
So if it is the oil pump here is the best pump to use.
Melling M208 Low Pressure Oil Pump LPOP - Riffraff Diesel Performance
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Thanks guys for the help here. I have been thinking about one of the melling pumps before but never wanted to fix something that wasnt broken but now is the chance.
The only other real question I am having here is: Should I drain oil? Is there going to be a huge mess when I pop the old one off/out? I am trying to avoid the big mess in the drive if possible.
The only other real question I am having here is: Should I drain oil? Is there going to be a huge mess when I pop the old one off/out? I am trying to avoid the big mess in the drive if possible.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 4
From: Gary,Indiana
Thanks guys for the help here. I have been thinking about one of the melling pumps before but never wanted to fix something that wasnt broken but now is the chance.
The only other real question I am having here is: Should I drain oil? Is there going to be a huge mess when I pop the old one off/out? I am trying to avoid the big mess in the drive if possible.
The only other real question I am having here is: Should I drain oil? Is there going to be a huge mess when I pop the old one off/out? I am trying to avoid the big mess in the drive if possible.
Merry Christmas 