Oil leak possible causes.

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by 379exhd, Nov 4, 2013.

  1. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Got a major oil leak on my truck started last week and we cannot pin point where its coming from. I have oil all down the passenger side of my truck talked to cat they have no idea, looked like it was coming from the manifold guess not. My issue is not only do I have oil down the passenger side of my truck now I have oils spots on the drivers side and the fender guard is now covered.

    When I pulled in to one cat dealer I had fresh oil spots on the TOP of my passenger side tool box. Drivers side box is now completely black and I can't pinpoint where its coming from...on either side. The block is drenched with old oil and possibly new oil, no coolant issues and no oil is coming out the stack. Smoke is black not white, but I'm at a complete loss here and getting more and more frustrated by the minute.

    On the passenger side, turbo, manifold, etc all dry. Starter has a place where it had puddled. Back on the coolant jacket there is oil however its not dripping when I'm stopped yet I'm still getting oil blowing back on the sleeper, breather, toolbox and daylight door. There's a couple spots up on the breather cover on the filter side. I'm chasing my tail here and hoping somebody has an idea. Was overhauled so we thing about 120k ago.

    Space 1MM cat 1.4 million miles. Anybody got any ideas what so ever?
     
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  3. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    You might just have to thoroughly power wash the engine and then just run it at 1000 rpm or so and watch for oil drops on the ground. It make take over an hour for anything to form.
     
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  4. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    You have to wash it off as clean as you can, I use Gunk citrus spray, not the foam, that is NVG. then preasure wash, When it is clean, run it at 1500 RPM cover the radiator 90% with a tarp or bag to get it hot, and crawl under and look. Cats have the ability to leak from a lot of places, if it is at the front, the fan will move it around.
    Just a thought!
     
  5. rockyroad74

    rockyroad74 Heavy Load Member

    Maybe look under the oil cooler.
     
  6. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

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    Could it be blowing it out the vent hose?

    Give it a good soak with simple green, and power wash it with hot water, just don't get wild around electrical connections with the power washer. Them things aren't meant to keep water out under pressure, in time you will get corrosion in connectors and really be pissed trying to track down electrical problems.
     
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  7. rwdfinch50

    rwdfinch50 Medium Load Member

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    Check the radiator for oil. I had an oil cooler go out years ago, and it pushed oil out the radiator and all over the truck. The oil is under more pressure than the coolant, so if the cooler goes, it's a heck of a mess.
     
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  8. morehp

    morehp Medium Load Member

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    Check the bungs that go in the spare oil level tube spots in the block, also rocker cover base if it is higher. Possibly sump gasket, take the others advice and clean it good and run it. You should be able to pin point it from there.
     
  9. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Checked the breather not coming out at the breather. But I believe I have a larger problem on my hands right now on the drivers side Kitts coming from between the block and cylinder head. My issue is its not puking cool at as well and for a head gasket k would assume it would be either running rough, puking cool at out the overflow (there was a little not much) I'd have coolant blowing out the stack or another symptom. Does a head gasket sound like a possibility?
     
  10. truckmechanic

    truckmechanic Medium Load Member

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    You need to steam clean it use some good degreaser industrial strength let the engine get hot the steam clean it look for leaks but best to run it around local for a bit and run the crap out of it build some boast it will show up also get some dye and run it in the oil i use cummins brand then get your black light out and trace it back.head gasket could be bad might run fine an blew around the oil drains in the block if it is head gasket make sure to have them check the protrusion I would personally be done with it and counter bore the block it's inevitable
     
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  11. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Got a chance to put it on the bottle today to check the head gasket. The video is what I found.

    Pulled into doniphan CAT and noticed coolant on the frame when we pulled the hood up but the tech said it was alright.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
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