97 3500 , i see fluid on ground dripping off the frame (chassis) directly under the driver side door it seem to be fuel but the diesel oder isn't very strong. My brake res. is still full, doesn't seem to be brake fluid. are there any lines running inside the frame. has any one had this issue or know of someone that has?

 

Power steering fluid - check the hoses on the pump and the hydroboost, also the hydroboost unit itself

Diesel fuel - check the fuel supply and return hoses near the pre-filter, fuel pump, and fuel manager head, also the water drain seal

 

thanks i will check those options out.

 

I just replaced my clutch on my 97 and I can tell you the fuel supply and return lines are right there up under the drivers side door clipped to the frame rail up high. They don't run inside the frame. If its fuel it could be a fuel connector between 2 steel lines I seen there.

Mine leaked there a little from pulling them out of the way to get the cross memmber up-back-and out. Mine quit leaking after I put them back in their clips mounted to frame. Going toward the front of engine, they are routed from the frame under drivers door to the bellhousing near/above the starter. Mine were covered in dirt on the frame and looked alot like brake lines do. Checkout the lines and the conections between them.

 

Hmmm - I thought only British cars had frame-lubricating systems?!

In all seriousness, I would check the fuel return lines that are known to leak. Might be it, not too sure...?

 

Fuel supply or return lines, I just replaced mine as have many others.

Don't even bother checking the replacement price for the lines from Dodge, they are solid gold. Many just run diesel rated line from the tank to the engine, I had 3/8" Stainless hard line here at work and made my supply line from that and got a 5/16" line from AZ for the return. If it is the fuel lines rusted, also check out the rear brake hardline, you may want to replace it while you have the tank down as it is usually rusted also.

Hope you are in a warm locale, it never seems to happen to me when it is warm out......

Oh yea, I have noticed the new ULSD does not stink anywhere nearly as bad as the older stuff.

 

It's very cold here, in okla. but i did look under there, it's fuel for sure. look as if it's comming from the tank area down and entering the inside of the frame then some how it travel thru the inside of the frame and exit back toward the driver door area out of a small hole in the frame from there it runs or( dripping) back down the outside of the frame (bottom) towards the rear of the truck again. sound strange but there what it seem to me it's doing.
What do you guy think it's org. from.

 

Probably the lines, can you see any corrosion on the metal part? If they look good, then you may just have a cracked hose, though I am thinking back, my 97 had a hard plastic line from the tank module to the quick disconnects at the tank.

Perhaps one of them cracked.