Front oil seal

[WiscoRedkneck]

I have a leak in the front of the engine it's right by the slobber tube but has gone from sitting a week and leaving one drop no bigger than a penny to leaving that overnight.

It appears to increase while running the engine, sometimes... pictures explain more it's got enough oil everywhere that I will have to clean it up somehow to even figure out what is leaking...  

When I replaced the body I cleaned as much as I could around the slobber tube but 340,00ish miles causes quite a caked on mess that needs to be cleaned.

Questions are what would be leaking in there front crank seal or cam seal? If I have to replace either how hard is it I'm extremely busy so if it's fairly intensive I may have a shop do it or... Also recommendations for cleaning the gunk off the front of the engine.  I have been using gunk degreaser and a scrub brush but that still gums up

The larger puddle of oil is from sitting two days then I left it running/warming up for a half hour, I haven't had another puddle of that size yet.  Small drops are overnight and a ten minute warm up

Edited November 26, 2017 by WiscoRedkneck

[IBMobile]

There is an article for that,

https://mopar1973man.com/cummins/articles.html/24-valve-2nd-generation_50/51_engine/12-and-24-valve-front-crank-seal-replacement-r474/

 

or do it dripley's way.

https://mopar1973man.com/topic/12727-front-main-seal/

 

 

 

[Silverdodge]

Sure it's not vac pump seal

[dripley]

It could be either the way oil gets blown around the engine bay. Mine were both leaking. Tappet cover leaking will blow all around also. It is not difficult even pulling the bumper, radiator and intercooler. A little time consuming, I spent 3 days working on it on and off. I probably could have cut it to a day a half easy just sticking with it. Getting the seal to start gave me the most problem. As far as cleaning goes, I used degreaser and a small pressure washer, 1600 psi, got it on sale at Harbor Freight for about $70.

 

[WiscoRedkneck]

Thanks for the thoughts I don't know if it's the crank seal for sure as the damper seams dryer then what is above it if that makes any sense...   I will get in there and see if I can make a better determination.  If it helps at all it appears the leak is coming from half way up the engine next to the slobber tube, it's also hard to tell since the block is almost completely wet with oil

Unfortunately anything that can't be done in a few hours will have to go to a good friend to fix I just don't have the time. 

My company is growing and I can't get employees fast enough it's a good problem but sucks because you can't make time for things you want or need to do.

Edited November 27, 2017 by WiscoRedkneck

[Mopar1973Man]

Like mine is leaking somewhere on the vacuum pump side but has oil scattered all the way to the passenger side all down the oil pan to the bell housing. The only way you are going to sort this out is to wash down the areas clean and take it for short ride at lower speeds and check often for oil and it source of the leak. 

[Silverdodge]

You can look up from the bottom of the truck to where I have circled and see if oil is damp there by touch or sight 

Edited November 28, 2017 by Silverdodge

[Mopar1973Man]

5 hours ago, Silverdodge said:

You can look up from the bottom of the truck to where I have circled and see if oil is damp there by touch or sight 

 

If it truly leaking there we've got the fix for it too.