Detroit 12.7l flywheel housing oil leak?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by KFF, Jun 16, 2026.

  1. KFF

    KFF Medium Load Member

    403
    425
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    Well I googled around and searched on here for this and didn't see anything. I have a slight bit of I think oil coming out of the hole below the rear driver side engine mount on the flywheel housing. It doesn't drip on the ground or anything but runs down the housing, just started yesterday. This hole doesn't seem to be threaded or anything? It is some kind of weep hole? Inside of the flywheel housing is 100% dry. Rear main doesn't appear to be leaking. Above and in front of this is dry. This is my first Detroit and nothing about this leak makes any sense to me currently. I could get a photo in a bit if needed. Is this a common thing? Thanks.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

    7,478
    42,692
    May 2, 2021
    0
  4. KFF

    KFF Medium Load Member

    403
    425
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    My current theory is that hole is just full of old grease and crud and it has been hot out and it is melting out of there. I don't think that hole goes to anything. Let me know if I am wrong. I am going to try to flush the hole with degreaser and one of those pipe cleaning tools. It doesn't really feel like oil, to thin and it doesn't smell like diesel or coolant. Best I can tell it also isn't hooked to anything. But I am completely new to these engines. I was worried but I think it is nothing. Really appreciate you always responding to me with my idiotic questions.

    20260616_181535.jpg 20260616_181515.jpg 20260616_181513.jpg 20260616_181526.jpg
    20260616_181535.jpg
     
  5. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

    9,924
    34,825
    Jan 20, 2010
    Hesperia, Ca.
    0
    If that so called “weep” hole is threaded, throw the right size bolt with silicone and see what happens. Betting that the leak is coming around the rear of the head.
     
    KFF Thanks this.
  6. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

    7,478
    42,692
    May 2, 2021
    0
    Sure looks like a rear main to me
     
    jaffles, KFF and Diesel Dave Thank this.
  7. KFF

    KFF Medium Load Member

    403
    425
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    This was my original plan I was trying to fit my finger in there but couldn't really. I gotta clean it out and get a good light on and see. My first thought is it wasn't threaded. I don't see any wetness anywhere above it or in front of it at all. But when I clean it off it does come back after a few hours.
     
    Diesel Dave Thanks this.
  8. KFF

    KFF Medium Load Member

    403
    425
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    This was my original plan I was trying to fit my finger in there but couldn't really. I gotta clean it out and get a good light on and see. My first thought is it wasn't threaded. I don't see any wetness anywhere above it or in front of it at all. But when I clean it off it does come back after a few hours.
     
  9. KFF

    KFF Medium Load Member

    403
    425
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    Inside with the clutch and flywheel is completely dry though? Would that be typical? I would think there would be oil in there?
     
  10. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

    7,478
    42,692
    May 2, 2021
    0
    There's a lot of clutch dust inside that could soak up a small amount of oil.

    One thing for sure, if that hole is going into the flywheel housing, and oil is coming out of that hole, theres only two places it could come from, and one of those is very unlikely.

    There's a slight possibility your flywheel housing could be cracked and oil is migrating down the crack. I've never seen one crack that would leak like that one is.

    If you're 100% sure it's coming from that hole, it would have to come apart to know for certain.
     
    KFF Thanks this.
  11. KFF

    KFF Medium Load Member

    403
    425
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    I will clean it up really good and investigate more. I really appreciate your feedback. This is what I was worried about. The trans was literally just out of it.....I will see if I can poke all the way through that hole and see if I can see it on the other side. Either way isn't good. I suppose rear main isn't bad compared to a cracked housing.
     
    Big Road Skateboard Thanks this.
  12. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

    7,478
    42,692
    May 2, 2021
    0
    I see it's a 60 Series. If you did have to do the rear main, I'd also go ahead and pull the rear structure and reseal it.
     
    KFF Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.