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Newb here with some questions

929 views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  e-rok 
#1 ·
Hey all. First post here. Just bought my first Dodge today. It's a 98 2500, 4X4, Cummins, A/T, Extra Cab, Long bed with 260K miles. It seems to be clean for the most part except for a major oil leak coming from the front of the engine. It's not the valve cover as the top of the engine is dry. I'm thinking timing cover or crank seal? There's oil on the passenger side of the block & in the center which seems to indicate the oil is slinging the direction of the crank rotation. Any common issues with this? I've never worked on a Cummins engine before but I'm fairly capable or wrenching on my own stuff.

I've done some reading on the KDP or "Killer Dowel Pin" and plan to do that upgrade which may take care of this leak at the same time (I hope) with a new TC gasket & crank seal since the timing cover is off. Any tips for a new Dodge newb to increase reliability? I may do a few simple bolt-on's such as exhaust, intake, gages, etc, but for now I don't intend to race it or get too crazy as I'm after longevity primarily. This truck will be my daily driver & be a backup to my 99 7.3 Superduty welding rig. I'm sure I'll have a bunch more questions as I get into this truck so thanks in advance. James.
 
#2 ·
I would clean it off good and see where exactly the oil is coming from. with 260k and the kdp never tabbed, it could have fell out. ive seen them fall out and get caught between the gear and timing case before falling in the pan. this will crack the case in that area and cause an oil leak. better hope this is not what happened.
 
#4 ·
I actually don't take possession of the truck until tomorrow or Friday. The dealer is being shady and im tempted to tell them to stick it up their a**. I'll know more tomorrow. In the meantime I'm going to look at a 96. Thanks for the advice so far though.
 
#5 ·
Look at the timing gear case. It is on the front of the engine. It has a seal in it. Look on the side. It probably has a hole in it (maybe JB welded together) where the KDP went through. If so make sure the dealer includes a 100% warranty and make them fix it.


http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/9...ng-buy-12-valve-recently-bought-one-read.html

After reading these 2 threads you will know what to look at and for.

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/94-98-engine/223095-what-kdp.html

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/94-98-engine/219708-kdp-damaged-case-repair-instructions.html
 
#6 ·
So I looked at a 96 tonight and decided to go with it instead. 163k miles. Pretty much the same truck but looks to have been maintained better. I'm going to pass on the leaky 98.
 
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