Ok, I have an oil leak. It is coming from up behind the Vacuum/Power Steering pump. So reading here (trust me guys I searched like crazy) it would SEEM to be the vacuum/power steering gasket, or one of the lines. But it's really weird because that Plate right there that you see when looking up at it lying on your back on the ground underneath...it seems the oil is totally coming from BEHIND that. So we pressure washed, and it seems like there is some wetness above, and some wetness off on the side, but the GUSH of oil comes from behind that plate. Is there anything behind that plate? I don't THINK it is KDP because it seems way too far back. I'm posting a picture from underneath looking up. It was pressure washed today. What do you guys think?

Also, if I take off the vacuum/power steering pump, is it just 2 or 3 bolts like it seems? Or am I missing something? Also, how hard is it to get it back on? I'm an ok mechanically inclined person, but definitely no expert. I have a good mechanic here with me, but he's never worked on Cummins, flies out tomorrow and I have him for one more day. He said it looks like it is coming from the cover BEHIND the power steering pump, that covers the whole side of the engine. Because that would be what is behind that plate sorta...

Any ideas and help you can give me would make me do a happy dance, because it's really leaking, and I need to keep it on the road, especially because I live in Ocala, and I'm visiting an RV park in Kissimmee about a hundred miles away. It would be about a gallon plus of oil to get it back home.

Help?

James

 

Here's the pic...almost forgot!

 

Tappet Cover gasket. Easy to change, hard to get to. On my 01 I removed IP, Vacuum pump, ECM.

 

It looks like just above the bracket with the drop on it, there is a cover (tappet cover?) and there seems to be a tiny lil crack there right next to the little tube that goes up...RIGHT in front of the top of the brackety thing that has the drop on it. I'll try to get a pic tomorrow to find out if it is normal, and I just need the gasket, or if that thing that looks cracked is an actual problem, and until I get home, can I smear some gasket stuff on it and maybe seal it? Or no way? I can't work on it for a week, and I need to use the truck till then, so any suggestions to slow the flow for the week would be SINCERELY appreicated. Pic tomorrow as soon as I can get one in the light.

James

 

The bracketry thing is a brace from your power steering pump to the block. The gasket gets very brittle and is most likely cracked. I doubt you will have much luck smearing anything on it. The good news is it isnt the kdp, but its about a four hour job to replace the gasket if you're mechanically inclined. Like I said the injection pump, PS/Vac pump, fuel filter all should come off to get to it. You could sure try to slip it up there from the bottom without removing all of that but I don't think that would work.

 

You do know your injection pump return spring is broken? I agree with Contractor about tappet cover leaking.

 

Ok, the spring is the spring in the pic I took I take it? I will work on changing it. Is there a part number? Whatever it does, I never noticed it was broken...truck runs great. But I assume I will probably say "Ahhh!" once I fix it.

The tappet cover looks huge, like it is one whole side of the engine almost. Argh, we're in an RV Park and they don't allow us to work on the car...won't be back home until the 5th of April, Mom and other family are visiting and so on...that was why I asked if there is any sneaky lil tricks like JB Weld or Gasket seal, or high viscosity oil or something else, or combination of things that will slow the leak way down till I can get to where I can work on it.

If I bite the bullet and brought the part, what would I expect to pay a mechanic if I have to?

Sigh...really would rather do it and save the cash...

James

 

Not easy job even for someone that has Not done it before. Injection pump needs to come off to remove side cover. Experienced tech that has done it before around 8 hrs.

 

that leak looks to me like it's red, so it must be power steering fluid

 

It's just the pic...It's definitely oil.

So far having problems getting the pic I want...will keep trying...

Another 1 1/2 quarts today....but it leaks a little less using 20-50.

Anyway, thank you all so much for trying to help...just wish there was a temp fix...

James

 

Ok, for now, I used JB Weld and Black Oil resist gasket maker and covered the crack and tried to poke a lil JB weld into it, and I am back home with no leak. For now...hoping it stays...

Stay tuned, because i noticed that my tranny has a leak too, once I take pics and stuff I'll post, unless I can search out the same problem...argh...both fluids leaking...

J