12v oil leak????

[1bad12v]

i have a big leak coming from what i believe sthe side cover (tappet cover). there is some kind of soft material cover in this area. what is it? and does nyone know of a poular leak in this area? i hasve around 197K miles. any ideas or help would be great.

[JakeDiesel]

They do have a rubber gasket there. The gasket slips on the cover and then you can bolt the cover on.

Your fuel pump should be in that area to, that could be it.

[e-rok]

I think every Cummins out there leaks oil

[4x4_guy]

i bought my truck three months ago with only the valve covers leaking and i fixed that right away...i got 110xxx miles on it now...im suprised that it isnt seeping everywhere like every other cummins ive seen even the tranny and differentials are dry...but its probably the side cover leaking and you got to remove all the stuff on that side of the motor to fix the leak

[1bad12v]

valve covers and timeing cover are not leaking. im losing about 1/2 a pint a day. do you know how mant hours to get tot he sde cover and put everything back?

[4x4_guy]

thats what kills you is labor on this...it is a $20 part with about 10 hours or more depending on what dealer you take it to but it is a fairly simple job you just have to remove the injection pump, power steering pump fuel lines and you have to retime the injection pump and install the fuel lines...as lone as you know how to time a injection pump it will probably take you most of the day to do

[1bad12v]

i figured i do the repair with my mechanic/neighbor. just wondered what i be getting into time wise. but i have never timed an injection pump.......

[illflem]

Originally Posted by 1bad12v

i figured i do the repair with my mechanic/neighbor. just wondered what i be getting into time wise. but i have never timed an injection pump.......

There is a cap nut on the side of the injection pump, if you remove this nut there is an insert inside that when turned around is used to lock the pump in TDC. You must find TDC first though.
This will allow you to remove the pump without having to retime it as long as the engine isn't rotated while the pump is off.

It would be preferable to retime the pump to 15-16 though.
Instructions> TSB 18-10-94 Rev. A

[cloudsosmoke]

long story short, you prettry much have to take EVERTHING!! off the drivers side to get to that tappet cover off, once you get to it there is 6 bolts and then you can get it off, me and dad did it in our shop and it took us about a week to do it, good luck

[illflem]

I've heard of some folks having luck just cleaning the cover leak area well then sealing it from the outside with RTV.
Good temporary fix until you have other reason to remove everything on the driver's side.