3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007 5.9 liter Engine and drivetrain discussion only. PLEASE, NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

Minor Leak - Oil? PS Fluid? Can't Trace It

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 12:52 PM
  #1  
wexman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
Question Minor Leak - Oil? PS Fluid? Can't Trace It

I'm trying to trace a very small leak. Sometimes, when I park in my space in my condo development, I find a couple drops of oil (can't tell if it's engine oil, or brake fluid, etc) dripping right from the front passenger side, almost directly behind the bumper. It doesn't do it ALL the time - for instance, at work, where I park in the same space every day, it has been dry.

Went on a little run today, came home, and now there are a couple drops. I can see where it dripped off the front crossmember (??), but I can't see how it accumulated on that. Using a flashlight from above and below, everything looks dry as a bone.

Suggestions on where to look? Thanks.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 01:30 PM
  #2  
AaronT's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
How about from a connection to, or from the power steering oil cooler?
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 01:42 PM
  #3  
wexman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
How about from a connection to, or from the power steering oil cooler?
OK, which part under there is the PS cooler? WHere do I look?

Thanks.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 01:58 PM
  #4  
AaronT's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
In front of the radiator, there are 2 little coolers. Top is transmission oil cooler, bottom smaller one is the power steering oil cooler.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 02:12 PM
  #5  
wexman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
Top is transmission oil cooler, bottom smaller one is the power steering oil cooler.
OK, it's probably one of them, because that's about where it's dripping.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 02:26 PM
  #6  
converteddzlr's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
How timely, I just noticed a little drip coming from the drivers side just behind the bumper this morning!
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 03:15 PM
  #7  
Buzzer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Surry, Va.
The drivers side is probably the power steering cooler. The passenger side is the hoses which route to the tranny cooler.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 03:59 PM
  #8  
wexman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
The passenger side is the hoses which route to the tranny cooler.
I suspect this is my issue, but, for the life of me, I can't see where it's coming from, and it only does it every once in a while. It's maddening! I suspect the change in weather (pretty warm today) may have contributed - as the rubber hoses soften a bit in the warmer weather, maybe there is a very slight leak from a connection? Because it doesn't do it all the time.

Well, the truck is due to go in for service in about a month, I'll have them check it out.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2005 | 07:50 AM
  #9  
Buzzer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
From: Surry, Va.
Scott...are you sure its oil? The water pump is also on the passenger side and it could be weeping. Just a thought. That might account for the occassional drip????
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2005 | 08:28 AM
  #10  
wexman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
The water pump is also on the passenger side and it could be weeping. Just a thought. That might account for the occassional drip????
You're close. I think I found it. It IS coolant seepage, coming from where the lower radiator hose goes into the radiator, around that plastic band clamp. That's where it's wet and sticky. Looks like as the weather heats up and cools down, the rubber probably leaks a little bit, and perhaps that is why it is ocassional. We went from BITTER cold, to unseasonably warm (in the 50s right now). The hose seems very tight, however.

I guess when it goes in for regular service next month, I'll have them replace it.
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2005 | 10:02 AM
  #11  
dssimecek's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Cypress. Texas 77433
Angry Oil leak

Took my 2002 3500 to dealer for LOF and noted I had an oil leak. Dealer found the oil breather bottle was full to overflowing, and that was where the oil was comming from. I have had truck about a month, and with only 10K miles on it was supprised the bottle was full.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ROCKHEAD
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
4
Oct 18, 2009 03:17 PM
DennisT
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
12
Nov 10, 2007 12:04 AM
Foxborough
3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007
12
Sep 13, 2007 10:09 PM
Sask
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
2
Aug 5, 2006 12:59 PM
Haulin_in_Dixie
2nd Gen. Dodge Ram - No Drivetrain
3
Oct 4, 2004 06:38 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:07 AM.