Common

I have about a quarter size every morning and its coming from the rear of the pan.

I can't change it myself, nor do I have anyone who can help - so my only option would be to bring it to Cummins...

But when I called the service dept. they told me that "for the cost of the repair, its not worth replacing if its only a drip, they all do that"

Should I sweat it?

I thought it was my rear main, but its the oil pan gasket...

GAmes

They don't "ALL" do that, but most of our engines develop leaks from various places over time. I drove better than 100,000 miles losing a qt or more of oil every 3000 miles until I got tired of having to pressure wash the belly of the truck every time I got home. My leak was from the gear case to block gasket and involved removing the cam to repair.

A quarter size mark isn't much and replacing the oil pan gasket isn't cheap. Whether it is "worth it" or not is up to you and your bank balance.

Common

I did retorque the bolts on the pan to 80 in lbs (or was it ft lbs?) I did use the right one, just can't remember what the service manual at the dealership said...

I don't have the money to toss around on this gasket.. (stupid crossmember)

I just hope it doesnt get worse...

rebal

small trick I used to stop a few oil leaks and it works most times if its not a pressure leak!

I have a spray on gasket sealer that i got at the local parts house (Napa).it comes with a spray tube .I wash the leaking area with starting fluid real good then blow dry and spray 1 more time and lightly blow dry then i spray the sealer into the leaking area it some how finds the crack and seeps in. let it dry and drip is gone ,I have used it on intake leaks too and seems to work pritty good. you might have some luck with it and its just a few buck to try+ your time.

Common

Good idea, thanks!

signature600

My 98, and the 95 both leak oil from the pans...not enough to worry about on the 98, and the 95 has worse leaks other places

My buddies 02 also leaks just enough to notice
Chris

AllPlay

My 98 also leaks. I get about three dime size spots. The only thing I hate is that it gets on the under side of the truck. Will the pan not come off with out lifting the engine?

DL1221

I haven't tried it, but I read somewhere that loosening the motor mount bolts and lifting the engine a few inches will get you the necessary clearance to remove the oil pan and change the gasket. I've done it on a gasser and its a real messy, pain in the rear job. My '01 leakes a few drops a day and I plan to live with it until it gets much worce.

Saggy

I have heard that one can remove a pan gasket bolt at a time add gasket sealent and re-torque and that is suppose to help.I have a quarter size leak myself for every shut down.

mr T

u can slide in a new gasket without lifting the motor..but u cannot get the pan out unless u raise the motor a couple inches

DanHfmn

Is that 80 ft. lbs torque setting for all 12v's? I probalby need to hit mine. It's leaking bad from the front though, right behind the radiator.

gmctd

It's not always the pan, folks - clean the engine, first - the pan is the most bottomest part, so natcherly it's gonna fall from there.

Once the engine is clean and dry, the shiny wet trail to the drip-off spot points to the leak, eh?

GAmes

No way foot pounds, maybe 80 inch pounds. How much is "bad"?

Common

Then its 80 in lbs - from the Cummins manual for all 12v...

I already wiped off a spot and sure enough the oil made a new trail right back to the bellhousing from the oil pan...