Bad oil leak

[naterade]

Hey Everyone

A small oil leak developed over the summer and is now what I would consider pretty bad. Drips on my parking spot, is even worse when the van is running.

I cleaned off underneath as best I could, it appears it's the oil pan gasket. I checked for any loose bolts, found some that weren't as snug as the rest, tightened them (but not overly), and it seems the leak is worse now.

Wondering where in Calgary I can source a new gasket. Also wondering if I can use 'Gunk' Gasket Maker instead of sourcing a new gasket.


Thanks for your help!
Nate

[Rattlenbang]

It's not likely to be your pan gasket. Take a very careful look above and see where it's dripping from. It will run down and collect along the edge of the oil pan and seem to be coming from there. Front shaft seals are often suspect, as is turbo and back of rocker cover. Use a can of brake clean to wash away all old oil (put cardboard or an old tarp down before you do this, it's very messy), start it and watch carefully. There's a chance you'll have to pull the belt cover to see if the oil is coming from the front shaft seals.

[konadog]

There's a chance you'll have to pull the belt cover to see if the oil is coming from the front shaft seals.

And if it is those seals the timing belt may have been leaked on and will want to be changed.
The EGR is a common leak spot too.

[FalcoColumbarius]

And let us not forget the dreaded half moon seal. What I've discovered is even though I put the sealant on and above the half moon seal ~ if one doesn't clean the surface on the head where the seal is going then it will still leak. If it is the half moon seal then it will leak down the rear end of the motor and down the back of the oil pan. I have a six inch by six inch piece of cardboard strategically placed in my parking spot ~ just waiting for me to get my proverbial finger out and clean the appropriate surfaces with a paint brush and brake cleaner. Hopefully I won't need to replace the seal, we shall see.

Falco.

[Rattlenbang]

That's one of the few crummy things about diesels: they get carbon in their oil. Carbon + oil= black paint! The upside is you can never not notice if you get a leak, and don't they all leak?

[Manitoba deli]

I would agree with the others, that it is not likely the oil pan gasket, but more likely front seals, valve cover/half moon seal, turbo lines, or oil lines to the vacuum pump on the back of the alternator. Quite possible it is a combination of the above. Sometimes it can be quite a process to get it leak/drip free. Kind of like the old 2 stroke detroit diesels, and Harley's, "if it's not leaking, you better check, your probably out of oil" That used to be the common reply when someone complained about an oil leak on their detroit diesel engine, but that was when oil drips and spills were not frowned upon. Luckily, most people are more proactive now days, and are willing to spend some money on fixing leaks. Good luck.

Jason

[naterade]

Thanks everyone for your comments

I am near-certain it is not the valve cover, I did clean everything off and I see no oil around that area now.

I can see that the turbo is a bit leaky, but it has always been that way (since I've owned it).

If it was a few drops, it might just leave it, as you've said, these diesels typically drip a bit of oil, which isn't a huge deal. But this is worse than a few drops. This is "leave it parked somewhere for 3 minutes and there's a small puddle"....

Problem is working on the vehicle - I'm not a mechanic, but also not completely inept, but working underneath the car in ice and snow without the benefit of a lift, or much light, or knowing what exactly to look at/for, this is not the easiest thing for me to diagnose... And being in Calgary severely limits my options for shops to take it to.

If I can figure this out, where is the best place to order seals/gaskets from? Isn't there a JDM parts guy in Kelowna or something? Or should I just order from the coast?


Cheers

[Rattlenbang]

Just order from any FLAPS under 1985 Dodge Power Ram 50 2.3 diesel. They should be able to get you most of what you need.

[konadog]

these diesels typically drip a bit of oil, which isn't a huge deal.

Nix! - I say leaking ANY oil isn't good. At work I park my bus in driveways of several picky, rich people who don't want oil spots from their gardener's rig staining their concrete. My bus has developed small leaks a few times, but as soon as I noticed I took it to CCA and they fixed it. First is was a dribbling turbo or the EGR, next it was the seals behind the belts (had to get a fresh timing belt that time...) and the last time it was because I had put 0-40 synthetic oil in the motor and, being so thin, it dripped out.
Good luck with hunting down your leak and with the fix. For parts, personally, I'd suggest you call CCA and have them ship them out to you. One call, they know preciecly what you need and will bang it out to you quick - might even sugget a few things for you to look for and help you isolate that leak.

[Nukes25]

Hi Nate, seeings as you're in Calgary, if you want a good shop, I suggest Pro-Active auto up in Sunridge, they're on 29th ST NE, I took my Hilux surf there for 2 years while I owned it, and I've started taking my Delica there ( just got back from there actually, just had the fuel filter changed)

They specialize in diesels and RHD's

[naterade]

Hey Nukes,

Thanks, I have been there once, they did my OOP inspection when I first got the van. Good guys there.

Wondering your experience with their parts sourcing? Are they able to bring in the things they need to repair RHDs, or is that something you had to do yourself?


Cheers

[Nukes25]

Their part sourcing is great, never had any issues finding parts, the lady in the office told me that they tend to source their parts through a canadian supplier, J Cruisers in armstrong- http://www.jdmparts.ca/
I was finding it a little cheaper to source the parts directly from J Cruisers, as they put a little surcharge for them getting the parts

[naterade]

Thanks again Nukes

I'm booked in with them next Friday

I am going to clean underneath as best I can before then, to make it easier to spot the leak, still hoping I can find it myself, to reduce the cost at the shop


Cheers

[naterade]

There's a chance you'll have to pull the belt cover to see if the oil is coming from the front shaft seals.

And if it is those seals the timing belt may have been leaked on and will want to be changed.
The EGR is a common leak spot too.

Well, the mechanic has determined that there is a great deal of oil leaking from behind the timing belt cover, as well as the valve cover.

He wants to pull the cover to inspect and fix, and has determined that the timing belt should be done as well, since he will be in there anyways, the belt is likely oil soaked, and since my timing belt is almost due for replacement anyways (I'm at 198,000 kms).

'Worst case scenario' quote for everything is just over $1200, parts and labour. Sound reasonable to you guys?


Thanks for all the help thus far.

Nate

[konadog]

Should be changed at 100k, not 200...