Looks like I have a leak...

[The_Chemist]

Just saw spots on my driveway this evening when I got home from work.

I crawled under the truck to see if I could find any wet spots and sure enough there is evidence of something leaking and running off of one of the skid plates.

I'm a little too old to crawl the entire way under to get a better look.

Does anybody have any guesses or ideas as to what this could possibly be? It looks clear to me with no tint.

 

[Richard320]

It's probably AC condensation if it's clear.

 

[The_Chemist]

It's probably AC condensation if it's clear.

It's 35^ here now. It feels oily. I'm guessing engine oil or brake fluid.

 

[The_Chemist]

The truck only has about 3,400 miles on it. I had the dealer change engine oil at around 2,200 miles. So the light color would make sense if the leak is indeed engine oil.

I would guess that transfer case oil or front differential oil would be darker.

I would have never known if there were not spots on my driveway where I park the truck.

I don't know where the oil filter is on this engine, but the wet skid plate is in the driver side up front.

 

[Autoplay]

You check oil level via dipstick? Lots of things it could be,but as you stated dealer changed oil X miles ago....I would investigate that avenue of trub shooting. Could be as simple and as messy as excess oil spilled upon removal,and the wrencher didn’t bother to clean up excess spillage.

Oil drain plug loose,oil filter loose,etc etc....if it’s motor oil.

 

[The_Chemist]

You check oil level via dipstick? Lots of things it could be,but as you stated dealer changed oil X miles ago....I would investigate that avenue of trub shooting. Could be as simple and as messy as excess oil spilled upon removal,and the wrencher didn’t bother to clean up excess spillage.

Oil drain plug loose,oil filter loose,etc etc....if it’s motor oil.

Yeah, have to do some investigating. Oil was changed back in June so drips should be gone by now if any was spilled. Possibly drain plug is coming loose. Just noticed drips tonight. I'm hoping not an engine problem.

This truck is a real lemon. The dealer has over $15,000 in parts into it repairing factory defects.

It depreciated so much that I can't afford to unload it now.

FCA gave me an extended warranty, but wouldn't buy it back. I'm so sick of taking it to the dealer.

Really hope this is just something simple this time.

 

[RebelWraith]

If your engine oil was changed back in June I highly doubt that is your engine oil. It would be MUCH darker by now.

 

[The_Chemist]

T

If your engine oil was changed back in June I highly doubt that is your engine oil. It would be MUCH darker by now.

True, but there is only about 1,200 miles on the oil. I'm just going to make another appointment and get it to the dealer. I guess I'll park it until they can look at it.

 

[RamCares]

The truck only has about 3,400 miles on it. I had the dealer change engine oil at around 2,200 miles. So the light color would make sense if the leak is indeed engine oil.

I would guess that transfer case oil or front differential oil would be darker.

I would have never known if there were not spots on my driveway where I park the truck.

I don't know where the oil filter is on this engine, but the wet skid plate is in the driver side up front.

Hi The_Chemist,

I'm very sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern. If you are in need of any support while addressing this with your dealer, please let us know via PM.

Mark
RamCares

 

[The_Chemist]

Hi The_Chemist,

I'm very sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern. If you are in need of any support while addressing this with your dealer, please let us know via PM.

Mark
RamCares

Thank you Mark. So far, no issues with the dealer in all the repairs this truck has undergone.

 

[RamCares]

Thank you Mark. So far, no issues with the dealer in all the repairs this truck has undergone.

Thank you very much for following up, I'm glad to hear this. We are more than happy to hop in if needed, do not hesitate to reach out via PM!

Mark
RamCares

 

[The_Chemist]

So I made an appointment at the dealer to have this oil leak checked out. They are taking the truck in on the 26th.

In the meantime, I checked the engine oil which is full and dirty. It's not the same color as the oil that I'm seeing dripping off of the skid plate.

What else is in this area that could leak a very thin clear oil? The truck has 4 corner sir suspension. Is there any type of hydraulic fluid used in that system?

Transfer case oil, I would think is much thicker and probably has a color to it. Front differential fluid would be very thick.

I'm at a loss as to what this could be.

 

[J4U]

You can get up at look over the top of that plate with a mirror or phone camera to see where it originates.

All I see from that pic is where it's leaking through the seep holes in the pan.

 

[The_Chemist]

That's all I can see at the moment as well. I tried using an endoscope, but I couldn't get it oriented well so that the image would display on my phone screen.

I wish I could find an undercarriage photo or diagram of the truck so I could see what all is oil bearing in that area.

Of course, hopefully dealer will figure it out.

 

[Edwards]

That's all I can see at the moment as well. I tried using an endoscope, but I couldn't get it oriented well so that the image would display on my phone screen.

I wish I could find an undercarriage photo or diagram of the truck so I could see what all is oil bearing in that area.

Of course, hopefully dealer will figure it out.

There is no oil in the air suspension. I know these have electric PS but there might be oil in the mechanism? That would be clear and in that spot.

 

[duke2001]

Just have to ask, what issues have you had with your truck that required $15000 to repair under warranty?

 

[The_Chemist]

There is no oil in the air suspension. I know these have electric PS but there might be oil in the mechanism? That would be clear and in that spot.

Interesting. Hopefully the dealer will track it down.

Thanks.