Wow...7 hours labor for the rear main seal in my 2002 5.9 rrd 3500 diesel, total with the seal...850$...if I have them do the oil pan gasket at the same time it is another 650$....how in the world is it so expensive to replace the oil pan gasket??? Shouldn't their be a two piece oil pan to maneuver around the frame member?? I was stunned when I got the quote....I may try the rear main seal additive that I found in O'Reilly's. Anyone have a better solution?? Doc

 

The rear main seal is a job of about 6 hours or so by the books, that being said the oil pan gasket is only another 1-2 hours of labor after the trans is out. I would say you should be able to get both seals replaced for about $700-$900. I think they are trying to charge you for the 2 seperate jobs.
Is this a local shop, dealer, Cummins??

As far as the oil pan leak you could try to retorque the oil pan bolts if you havnt yet. I bet you get at least 1/2 turn on each and that might stop/slow your pan gasket from leaking..

How bad is your rear main leaking??? As far as oil additives I would stay away from them..

 

The rear main is leaking substantially, I don't know why they didn't replace it when they did my clutch last year? I will try the torquing of the pan nuts tomorrow. I got the quote from the dealership, which is always distressing to me but this shocked me. Why in the hell can they not redesign the oil pan?? Are the 6.7 diesels the same?? It has been a great truck, I want to keep it....but the maintainance on something as simple as the oil pan is alarming. Thank you for taking the time to repsond, I appreciate your comments. Doc

 

I havnt layed under a 6.7 yet, so I cant say for sure on the oil pan but I think its even tighter under there vs our 5.9s

My oil pan gasket was leakin for quite a while before I tightened the pan bolts and its pretty dry now..

As far as the rear main, mine has leaked since I got the truck, it leaves a spot about the size of a quarter up to the size of my palm overnight. Hasnt gotten any worse or any better over 300,000 miles, I just keep drivin.

 

I think I'll take a chapter from your book and just drive it....there is a spot about the size of my hand each morning..I'll just put a dry basin under it and replace the paper every week. It's got me acting like a hand wringing idiot I check my oil so often...lol

 

Sorry but oil pan gasket is never simple maitenance! One of those things that just doesn't last forever, and when it goes it's not the easiest to fix, on most motors with a crossmember under it I've found. That price is too much for the oil pan though, like stated above it shouldn't be too bad with the trans already down for the rear main.

Did you ask "them" to replace the rear main when they did the clutch? If not that's probably why they didn't. Lots of smaller shops don't want to open a can of worms without being told to. Good luck.

 

No I did not which grieves me to no end...but you get the flogging you deserve in life. Doc

 

Doc, on my 3rd gen the cost of the seal was $80 something just for the part. I ruined 2 before I figured out how to get it right. If you decide to tackle this on your own, I did a write up on the procedure on a third gen. The part that would apply to you is the actual installation of the seal it's self. It might save you some aggravation and cash.


https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...y-t304887.html

 

I just looked at your install instructions, the idea with the washers is genius and it was well photographed. My problem is I don't have anywhere near the mechanical aptitude you do nor the tools. But I will say this..your presentation was excellent and I have saved it for future reference. Thanks for your very informed suggestions, they are outstanding. Doc

 

Sucks it requires the removal of the transmission, otherwise I'd do mine.

 

Thanks Doc. I paid dearly for that lesson so I need to share, just to take some of the "sting" out of it. Stupid FSM!

 

Not sure where you're from doc, but i had replaced due to leakage after i got the DTT installed. SourceAutomotive did the install for just over $600. Oil pan was not involved. Now, no more leakage!!!

 

You know...I don't like taking shortcuts on gasket leaks...But a member here...I wish I could remember his name...Said to try this trick on a leaky oil pan..I know on my truck,I have to lift the motor to replace oil pan gasket...And really didn't want to do it just yet..

He said to get a can of the spray on type gasket..Gasket maker in a spray can.....

He said...clean around the orginal seal, around the complete oil pan really well...All oil has to be removed..Then spray on gasket sealer all the way around the oil pan..and leave it to dry..

It's been over 4 years since I have done this...And the oil pan is still not leaking......I haven't even bothered replacing the oil pan gasket...And have made a few miles on the fix...

 

Kinda like that liquid bandage stuff.

 

I haven't looked at my truck but when I had to change the rear main on my Jeep I had to pull the oil pan which means I had to replace the gasket.
What are they charging you for doing the RM? putting the old ripped gasket back on?
Sounds sketchy to me.