Hi Everyone,
And thanks for being a part of this website. I was recommended to place my post here, since I was new, and would get more responses.

I have recently purchased a 2004 Ram 3500, and have come across two issues that are needing maintenance. Your comments/tips and recommendations are solicited and very much appreciated.

1) I need to change out the oil pan gasket. It is leaking a very small amount of oil. I have been told by a couple of mechanics that I can live with temporarily. I understand that I need to unscrew some oil pan screws and lift the motor. Lifting the motor to facillitate removing the pan. Can you point out just what's involved, recommend a sequence I might want to follows ie procedure?

2) I noticed that I am slowly loosing coolent. I haven't identified exactly where the leak is coming from, but at first glance it looked like it may be coming from the water pump gasket area (not sure though). No indication has been given that the engine has gotten hot or is getting hot (ie red lights on the dashboard). I've kept the radiator full of coolent 50-50 mix coolent and water. I haven't and am definately not driving the truck until I fix the coolent system leak first and the oil pan gasket replaced asap.

I had the truck fluids serviced:including oil, transmission fluids/filter and radiator flushed a couple of months ago, when I bought the truck, and haven't seen any leaks per se until now. As you might know like other southern US areas, it's gotten really hot here in East Texas - in the 100 degree F range. I'ved noticed the A/C takes time to cool and performs better, ie is cooler, when I had driven it a while (Don't know if that is related and/or helps you any) Before recognizing the coolent system leak, I made a recent trip to Oklahoma with my fifth wheel - about a five hour trip and then pulled a horse trailer back to East Texas the next day in pretty heated weather. I noticed small amounts of coolent fluid leaking on the ground. Any comments or suggestions? Thanks!

Your investigative insights and comment are welcomed to help me resolve these above issues as economically as possible. I haven't done alot of mechanic work but I'm not lazy. Thank you for any help!

Added: I thought about using my tractor front loader to help pick up the engine - good or bad idea?

 

Your pan leak may be a simple drain plug crack or gasket. It will use a 3/8 square socket driver to r/r. if it's overtightened, there's a gasket required that will be destroyed. Common quicker sticker oil change place mistake. Also the head of the drain plug can be cracked and it will leak. I'd start with a self oil change when do and look real close at those two thing. replacement available at any deal. Not expensive, and good idea to have a few of the gaskets on hand.

 

There is no water pump gasket. There is an o ring. They usually don't leak there. Where they leak is at the bearing where the shaft spins. Water pumps are cheap at any auto parts store. Don't go to the dealer they charge about 5 times as much. Changing the water pump is an easy job. Since you just had it flushed (and I assume you have been using the zerex HOAT stuff) drain the fluid from the radiator drain, into a clean bucket or jug. The petcock is on the drives side of the radiator. Then remove the belt. Then get a 10mm box end wrench and remove the 2 bolts. Pull out the pump. On the new pump put a little lithium grease on the or ring and reinstall. Then reverse the rest of the steps. I did it in a parking lot in about 30 minutes. Also the rear main seals tend to leak on these, if it is not your oil pan plug. Mine has been leaking for 100k miles now. Maybe lose an 1/8 of quart over 5k miles. IF it isn't leaking alot I wouldn't be worried about the oil leak. You are also sure it isn't comeing from the breather tube?

 

Welcome to the DTR! As dieselfreak21 mentioned, the water pumps typically leak at the bearing. With that said, pumps will also leak at the weep hole as well. The water pump weep hole is located on the housing, behind the fan. It is very small (3/16") in diameter and will typically leak coolant if the pump is the issue.
I would caution against the use of petroleum based grease or lubricants on the o-ring as it will cause o-rings to swell up and or fail. I do; however, recommend the use of waterproof /silicone grease; ie plumbers grease, on the petcock o-ring to facilitate reinstallation. This grease can be found at your local big box store or a plumbing supply house. It is also known as faucet grease.

 

Thanks Dr. Dizzle. Appreciate your time in helping me!

I've got a lot to look at when I get back home (Where my truck is - East Texas). Will stay in touch.

LBT

 

Lets see some photos of the new ride.

 

Actually, the oring will leak. Mine did. I forgot about that. Simple fix.

 

Where are you located? I'm in Pittsburg and would be glad to look at it for you. Jay