Oil Leak

[wrs8574]

So I've thumbed through some of the "oil leak" threads on here and didn't manage to find one that isolated my specific problem.

Here is the issue......

01 7.3 PSD with 120,XXX miles, stock original HPOP & the average bolt-on's: AFE Stage II, DP F5 w/80E, 120 & 140, ATO built 4R100+billet converter, 4" turbo back exhaust, ATS housing, WW, DI high pressure cross over line, etc etc etc.

I just recently instally the DI cross over line and within the last couple of days I've noticed a small amount of oil under my rig right in the center at where the tranny/engine oil overflow hole is. I cleaned everything off with a rag to see where it may be coming from and managed to track it to the seal between the overflow plate. It's definately NOT ATF tranny fluid. So what might be my issue? Bad rear main seal?
BTW, there are no performance issues, no DTC's, no loss of power or anything really noticeable to me at least.

If so how hard are they to do or should I say how costly?

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[cchase]

its not the real main, those hardly ever go bad on 7.3s, i would check your cross over line fittings, mine came lose after the first time i put it in, you could see it leak with the engine running, also look behind the fuel filter and see if there is oil in the vally.

[wrs8574]

Originally Posted by cchase

its not the real main, those hardly ever go bad on 7.3s, i would check your cross over line fittings, mine came lose after the first time i put it in, you could see it leak with the engine running, also look behind the fuel filter and see if there is oil in the vally.

I just went out and inspected under the hood and the valley is dry as a bone in Death Valley. I haven't a clue at this point. I tried running a bead of black RTV last night at the dust cover shield between the converter/rear main area and there was oil seeping through the RTV still. I'm stumped.

I also rechecked my cross over line connections and they are tight as can be too.

[wrs8574]

So here's the update......

I took the dust cover/oil overflow drain off to discover that the source of the leak is a bad oil pan seal.

Anyone care to share what I'm looking at work wise? Do we actually need to disconnect the motor mounts and jack the engine up a bit to gain full access to the pan or can we do it without doing that? Also I've heard from numerous sources that Navistar/International used RTV basically as the pan seal?

[Cory S]

i have an obs and i have a leak around the back of my motor oil is all over the back of my oil pan and a lil on the tranny but oil level doesnt ever drop

[wrs8574]

Originally Posted by flowmasters40

i have an obs and i have a leak around the back of my motor oil is all over the back of my oil pan and a lil on the tranny but oil level doesnt ever drop

Well in your case it could be a possible slowly leaking rear main seal (though doubtful). In my case the oil droplets are steady and over time will produce a lower amount of oil within the pan/engine itself. I need to solve this problem ASAP.

If anyone has pulled their oil pan and have any possible tips/tricks please let me know ASAP. Thanks in advance.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by wrs8574

Well in your case it could be a possible slowly leaking rear main seal (though doubtful). In my case the oil droplets are steady and over time will produce a lower amount of oil within the pan/engine itself. I need to solve this problem ASAP.

If anyone has pulled their oil pan and have any possible tips/tricks please let me know ASAP. Thanks in advance.

I had the dealer do mine. But it was still under warranty.

Oh and before you loosen any bolts drain the oil. As you do not want to wear 15 quarts.

[wrs8574]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

I had the dealer do mine. But it was still under warranty.

Oh and before you loosen any bolts drain the oil. As you do not want to wear 15 quarts.

Since I'm running AMSOIL and just changed it out about 3 months ago I'm going to try and reuse what I can. Thanks for the heads up though.

[mschn99]

you have to pull the motor to do an oil pan.... Its sealed by gray RTV silicone

It isnt the oil pan though....

it also isnt the rear main

[stewy]

did you check the seal where the dipstick goes into the block?