Oil leak

[aRibelin]

I was under my truck in the garage last week installing the block heater wire (I can't even imagine why this wire is not standard-a $35 dollar option-took me over an hour to install it after-the-fact; the dealer says that they charge 2 hours for them to install it) and noticed quite a bit of motor oil on the bottom of the front cover just behind the serpentine belts. There was oil on the cross member as well. It looked like it should have been leaving a mess on my garage floor but hasn't. Took it to work the next day and steam cleaned it off hoping that maybe it was just assembly carelessness. Now it is back but still no drips to the floor.

Time to take it to the dealer which scares the dickens out of me, I have not ever had great luck with our local dealer (our company owns 7 powerstrokes: 4-7.3's; 1-6.0; and 2-6.4's).

[sea71]

After a good cleaning, could you tell where in the engine compartment its coming from?? Thats one way to try to find the leak point. A good cleaning as you did, and then a watchfull eye for a day or two. Follow that leak right on up till it stops at the highest point.

[straycat]

Hope it's not anything serious, Is it still covered by warranty?

Gord.

[aRibelin]

Yes, it is still under warranty, it is only 3 months old (2008 6.4). It is somewhat difficult to see where it is coming from, it is a little congested under the hood. My mechanic thinks it is the front engine cover, which I believe is a repair they have to pull the cab for.

[aRibelin]

UPDATE:

I finally took the truck in for the leak (and it blows soot on hard acceleration). The front crank seal is out and they had to order one; said it would take 4 to 5 days and they wanted to know if I wanted to leave the truck until it came in. NOT!

The service manager said that "a little soot is normal." They don't have a clue. The only good diesel mechanic they had quit a few months ago and has his own Powerstroke shop but can't do warranty work.

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Last edited by aRibelin : 07-20-2007 at 08:32 AM.

[DavidPhillips]

Cam seal?

Is that possible? I don't have a manual but most engines just have a crank seal in that area. The cam usually ends at the timing gears behind the timing cover.

The crank seal is normally the first place you see a leak if you have some pressure in the crankcase. Maybe open the oil cap when the engine is hot and look for back pressure.

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Last edited by DavidPhillips : 07-20-2007 at 07:58 AM.

[aRibelin]

Thanks, David, I misstated the problem-I corrected my post. They scheduled the repair for this past Wednesday only they didn't tell me. Taking it in Monday, they said it would take all day.

[aRibelin]

New update:

Dropped the truck off this morning at 7:00 for it's all day appointment for the new crank seal. They called at 12:30 and said that they have bad news; that the '08 requires new crank bolts with the seal replacement and they didn't order any. I will have to leave it again next week when they get the bolts in for the new seal.

The service manager told me that they don't really know a whole lot about the 6.4's; no kidding!

[aRibelin]

UPDATE:

They finally called for the truck to install the new seal. It took them 2 days as they had to remove the entire front of the truck. All 6 radiators came out to do the repair, there appears to be a little damage to some of them upon close inspection after picking it up.

So far the truck has been in the shop for seven days; not a very good start.

[bleedsblue]

You've had some really bad luck with the truck thus far. That's very strange that a crank seal went bad on it already.

Bill