2001 ram diesel I have owned sense new
never had a problem ever until 80k when a power steering pump when out so I took it to the dealer and they somehow sold me a steering box and pump at a low tune of 1400.00......after having the truck home for a week I noticed spots under the truck. I took it back and they put in another pump said fixed n/c
another week goes by and more spots. Again a new pump
the week after that I went to change my oil and not the normal amount came out went back to the dealer and they said no oil leaks and sent me packing.
Now today I went back to the dealer after I put dye in the oil to prove it was leaking and they say its a vacuum pump leaking internally at a tune of 2000.00 just for the mopar part or 650 for the aftermarket part or 350.00 to put new seals in it.......
now for my question
could the vacuum pump been damaged when one of the many power steering pumps were replaced?
Thanks a lot in advanced
Paul

 

I don't know the answer but I did a search and these guys came up. Maybe they can help you.-

http://www.fixinrams.com/

 

IIRC you can easily damage the seals on the vacuum pump if you don't have the PS lined up just right during installation. The best thing to do is take the Vacuum pump and PS pump out as one unit and install as one. The Vacuum pump seal kit is @ $10 from Cummins with very straight forward installation instructions. It took me about 3 hrs to fix my leak and I had never done before and had several beer breaks.

 

ttt

anyone else have any thoughts...
Thanks
Paul

 

I had the same problem with oil leaking from the vacuum pump. I chose to use the fixinram kit as I've never repaired a vacuum pump before, it been dry as a bone ever since. The pump itself is easy to repair, the trick is getting the pump out of the truck. If you have a day and some hand tools it's not impossible to complete the job on your own.

If you don't want to tackle the job you can order a rebuild pump and have someone do the R&R.

 

In my 2001 I had the same oil drip that you had. A few spots here and there, and then BIG spots. So, after some research here on DTR, I found out that the seals go out on those vacuum pumps and it's a regular occurance. I recommend doing a search on here about vacuum pump seal replacement.

For my situation at the time, it was easier to just replace the vacuum pump and keep on going down the highway. You can just replace the seals if you can get the right size. The pump itself cost me around 300 if I remember correctly. Labor was free as I did the work.

Now for your situation, I would be looking at the dealer for some explanation as to why they didn't just fix it the first time. Instead it sounds like they kept putting PS pumps on there. (That makes no sense.) They should have known about that problem on those models and if not after two pumps should have been looking for a different answer to the leak.

I would go back after doing a little digging around and explain to them what you know. If that doesn't get you anywhere, just fix it yourself or find a local mechanic that will do it cheaper.

HTH
Bryan

 

Thank you ...The truck is at the dealer now and i just needed to know if i had any ground to stand on if i yell and said they did it and or if it is just something that would just go bad for miles reasons? Still a little unsure as it did happen JUST after they installed the pump!

 

update

the dealer call me today and told me the pump is bad on the inside and the seal kit they ordered for it would not work so they asked me if i wanted an aftermarket pump at 350.00 or a new mopar part at 2000.00!!!!!
I went for the aftermarket one as it came w/ a 1 year warranty and 1 forth the cost any thoughts
Thank You
Paul

 

I have a suggestion.

Don't ever do business with that dealer again.