Main Seal Leak - the saga continues

[Boozygoose]

On December 4th I posted about a leak under my engine and with the kind help of some members, was able to diagnose as an oil leak at the rear main seal.

Long story short, my truck had 194 miles on it, saw a spot of oil on garage floor and went under the truck and found the leak. Took it to the dealer at 230 miles and they stated it needed a new main seal. Gave me a loaner, got it back the next day with 231 miles on it (after the world's shortest road test), and was told I was all good. Better than new.

That lasted about 6 days and exactly 176 miles before I found that it was leaking again at the exact same spot. I made another service appointment for yesterday. After I made the appointment, I wiped it off myself to see how fast it would come back. After wiping off myself, it took 4 days and 109 miles before an obvious drip appeared at the bottom of the bell housing for the third time. Of that 109 miles, really the biggest drive was 60 miles at 70 miles an hour on the highway. That really brought it out.

Anyway, they have had the truck since yesterday at 7AM and service adviser called last night to say they wiped it off and weren't able to duplicate it. Go figure. It needs to be driven more than 1 mile, not just sit in the bay.

Yes, I am documenting with photos, every call, invoice, etc. At this rate, I'll have 3 service calls for the same problem before I hit 1000 miles.

Any advice or thoughts from the guys with better mechanical knowledge than I have. Thanks in advance.

 

[Longhorn5G]

I am in the camp that believes dealers tend to not test ANYTHING they fix. I have many many examples, all manufacturers included.

Private shops do.

Get a dash cam. Hard wire it. Or even plug in cig.

When it starts, its on.

Watch it after u get it back. See how much they checked anything.

 

[Jako]

On December 4th I posted about a leak under my engine and with the kind help of some members, was able to diagnose as an oil leak at the rear main seal.

Long story short, my truck had 194 miles on it, saw a spot of oil on garage floor and went under the truck and found the leak. Took it to the dealer at 230 miles and they stated it needed a new main seal. Gave me a loaner, got it back the next day with 231 miles on it (after the world's shortest road test), and was told I was all good. Better than new.

That lasted about 6 days and exactly 176 miles before I found that it was leaking again at the exact same spot. I made another service appointment for yesterday. After I made the appointment, I wiped it off myself to see how fast it would come back. After wiping off myself, it took 4 days and 109 miles before an obvious drip appeared at the bottom of the bell housing for the third time. Of that 109 miles, really the biggest drive was 60 miles at 70 miles an hour on the highway. That really brought it out.

Anyway, they have had the truck since yesterday at 7AM and service adviser called last night to say they wiped it off and weren't able to duplicate it. Go figure. It needs to be driven more than 1 mile, not just sit in the bay.

Yes, I am documenting with photos, every call, invoice, etc. At this rate, I'll have 3 service calls for the same problem before I hit 1000 miles.

Any advice or thoughts from the guys with better mechanical knowledge than I have. Thanks in advance.

I had problems with the rear main seal on a 1994 Ford Explorer. I'm not a mechanic but from what I could gather there are different ways to fix the problem (install seal). It took the third time for them to get it right. This went on for years but fixed before warranty went out. I went to my neighborhood repair shop and received a bill for checking out the oil leak and diagnosis. Then it was no longer just my opinion and I had a little more "Fire Power". It was fixed correctly and still does not leak today.
Is there another Ram dealership that may be able to help?

 

[Gondul]

I am in the camp that believes dealers tend to not test ANYTHING they fix. I have many many examples, all manufacturers included.

Private shops do.

Get a dash cam. Hard wire it. Or even plug in cig.

When it starts, its on.

Watch it after u get it back. See how much they checked anything.

In some states recording people without consent is a criminal offense... just an FYI.
And a workshop is not considered a public area...

 

[Longhorn5G]

Side note: dealers have no problem driving to try to replicate a problem to tell you they dont see it.

So it can go positive the other way too... if they are too lazy to drive it to replicate a complaint, and just do what you recommend, that can be a headache saved too.

My feeling, is that they have so many cars to fix, all manufacturers, are on time crunches to get things fixed so they can get on Jennifer's Jeep Compass, and Frank's Chrysler 300, etc. They also have rental costs or loaners they want back, etc.

A private shop, less of a line of pressure, dont have loaners ajd are not paying daily rentals... and a lot of times, dont have newly certified 25 year olds on staff, but 30 year auto mechanic vets who follow traditional means or checking for things, and follow the age old rule of test driving afterward.

I could be wrong. But thats how I see it.

Get a dash cam.

Now, back to the seal.

 

[Longhorn5G]

In some states recording people without consent is a criminal offense... just an FYI.
And a workshop is not considered a public area...

Its sitting there plain view, even on drivers side of mirror. And, its a Thinkwarex that vocally says out loud once you start it, "Continuous recording will now begin."

 

[Longhorn5G]

In some states recording people without consent is a criminal offense... just an FYI.
And a workshop is not considered a public area...

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cu...mifications-of-having-a-dash-cam-in-your-car/

You got me thinking, and i found this...

Good thing its on mic mute! I put it on mic mute when i installed it, just so if I ever watch a vid for any reason, my music isnt blaring in the background. I hate vids that have their music in the background.

 

[troutspinner]

@RamCares needs to get involved with this one. That dealer is simply putting you off because they have other things to do. Even the worst mechanic knows your issue isn’t going to magically appear with a couple miles and a day of sit time.

 

[John813]

Reminds me of my oil leak in my wifes sport explorer.

TL;DR version.
Notice an oil drip on the bottom of the filter when doing an oil change. Wiped it and checked it a few days later. Oil on same spot on new filter, but none on garage floor.
Took it in 3 times for them to look at. First time they said bad oil filter adapter, 2nd time it was residue from visit #1 and then the 3rd time they finally checked out the entire engine and found the culprit. Bad head that would allow oil to seep through the head/block till heat sealed the hole.

Otherwords, I doubt they really looked into it/didn't care enough the first two times. Maybe try another dealer if these are just wasting your time.

 

[geotex1]

You do not have to have warranty work from the selling dealer. Find the closest RAM dealer with good service reviews and make an appointment and spend some time with the service manager. Good dealers are increasingly hard to find, but they're out there.

 

[19RamLimited]

I sure thought they replaced a rear main seal fast .. guess they didn't do anything other than brake cleaner

 

[Boozygoose]

That's what I am starting to believe.

When I just wiped it off myself and cleaned it well, it came back at about the same rate as when they "changed the main seal" per the invoice.

 

[Bram2019]

On December 4th I posted about a leak under my engine and with the kind help of some members, was able to diagnose as an oil leak at the rear main seal.

Long story short, my truck had 194 miles on it, saw a spot of oil on garage floor and went under the truck and found the leak. Took it to the dealer at 230 miles and they stated it needed a new main seal. Gave me a loaner, got it back the next day with 231 miles on it (after the world's shortest road test), and was told I was all good. Better than new.

That lasted about 6 days and exactly 176 miles before I found that it was leaking again at the exact same spot. I made another service appointment for yesterday. After I made the appointment, I wiped it off myself to see how fast it would come back. After wiping off myself, it took 4 days and 109 miles before an obvious drip appeared at the bottom of the bell housing for the third time. Of that 109 miles, really the biggest drive was 60 miles at 70 miles an hour on the highway. That really brought it out.

Anyway, they have had the truck since yesterday at 7AM and service adviser called last night to say they wiped it off and weren't able to duplicate it. Go figure. It needs to be driven more than 1 mile, not just sit in the bay.

Yes, I am documenting with photos, every call, invoice, etc. At this rate, I'll have 3 service calls for the same problem before I hit 1000 miles.

Any advice or thoughts from the guys with better mechanical knowledge than I have. Thanks in advance.

In order to do this properly, they need to add dye to the engine oil. They should clean the area off first. I am assuming you are sure it is engine oil leaking. It would be better if you drove the vehicle for the 100 miles or so. To expect a shop to drive that vehicle that long is a little crazy in my opinion. Then return the vehicle to the shop with the leak present. If the tech is smart, he will remove the inspection cover seen in your picture. He can then use a black light and see the source of the leak hopefully. It may not be the rear main. Could be many things. That is the reason for the dye. He should be able to see a trail. If it is the rear main, the oil pan has to come off and the transmission removed or at least pulled back. Good luck.

 

[Boozygoose]

Berniez,
Good info, thank you! Yes, pretty certain it is engine oil and while I am not a mechanic, I am pretty confident.

I have no problem doing the test driving. If they suggest it, I'll do it. I'm not unwilling to participate, all they have to do is ask. No one has mentioned dye, etc. The first go, within 1 hour of my arrival at the shop the service adviser said "new main seal", I'll call you when it is done. The invoice read "replaced rear main seal. Road test". I just thought .6 miles was a seriously short road test.

 

[Longhorn5G]

Berniez,
Good info, thank you! Yes, pretty certain it is engine oil and while I am not a mechanic, I am pretty confident.

I have no problem doing the test driving. If they suggest it, I'll do it. I'm not unwilling to participate, all they have to do is ask. No one has mentioned dye, etc. The first go, within 1 hour of my arrival at the shop the service adviser said "new main seal", I'll call you when it is done. The invoice read "replaced rear main seal. Road test". I just thought .6 miles was a seriously short road test.

Probably road tested it straight to a parking spot right next to Frank's Chrysler 300 to bring that into the garage bays.

 

[Longhorn5G]

You do not have to have warranty work from the selling dealer. Find the closest RAM dealer with good service reviews and make an appointment and spend some time with the service manager. Good dealers are increasingly hard to find, but they're out there.

My addition $.02, try a lower volume dealer, maybe the lowest volume dealer you can. Maybe more in the country, and being a Ram dealer, like ford and chevy, they are in some of the most remote towns sometimes..

A. Some of those country boys be loving some cars, and have been working on cars ever since they first dismantled their tiny electric john deer toddler tractor just for fun. I trust that guy right there.

B. Dealers get paid by mopar for warranty labor work, and parts etc, right? So thats a big incentive for them to find something wrong. So if you go in to a larger volume, like KOONs, and they have cars lined up for days who need work, they arent crying to a reason to make some income. Probably more likely to say either its "normal", or some simple repair. Get you outta there, so they dont upset the 40 people waitibg for a car. And, you're taking up lot space. Ever been to a dealer where theres only 8 feet to drive a car down an aisle vecause of how much they got packed in there? High volume dealers, thats who.

You go to a lower volume.. they want and need revenue, maybe a little more than higher volume places. I dont have stats to prove

 

[Longhorn5G]

Prove it all, but makes sense to me. They also have room on lot. They are in a lot surrounded by 4 farms.

So, if u have a problem, probably more likely to take the time to entertain ur ideas, and even want to actually tackle the issue. And have more of a reason to want to find and replucate ur issue.

 

[RamCares]

@RamCares needs to get involved with this one. That dealer is simply putting you off because they have other things to do. Even the worst mechanic knows your issue isn’t going to magically appear with a couple miles and a day of sit time.

Hi troutspinner,
Thank you for notifying us. We greatly appreciate your concern for @Boozygoose 's situation. I am currently communicating with him via private message and will do my best to help address this concern.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Boozygoose]

As an update, Ram Cares has responded to my PM and I will follow up with Lydia as soon as possible.

Received the truck back this afternoon. To be fair, the dealer has been communicative, helpful, and interested in solving my problem. It is my second vehicle from this dealer (wife's Grand Cherokee), and I traded my 17 F350 for the Ram rather the than an F150 because I really like the service adviser. Anyway, here's what I got...

They put on about 40 miles. Tech took it home last night. Couldn't reproduce. He saw the oily drip, acknowledges it was there, but it hasn't come back since they have had vehicle. Believes it may be "assembly lube", but why didn't they think it was assembly lube before they replaced my main seal on the first visit? Anyway, Berniez is a smart guy, they installed tracer dye and advised I should drive for 1500 miles. Great on the tracer dye, but if it starts again, hell if I am going to drive for 1500 miles with oil dripping out. When I was 16 driving an IH Scout beater that I had to throw an old floor mat under to catch oil from hitting my parents driveway, sure. On a 65K truck with less than 700 miles, I am less than thrilled.

But, I will run the crap out of it for a week and see. If it is fixed, I will hop on here and give emphatic kudos to my dealer. I hope that is the case because after having my fillings come loose banging around in F350's for years, even top of the line ones, it sure is nice to drive the Ram.

 

[geotex1]

As an update, Ram Cares has responded to my PM and I will follow up with Lydia as soon as possible.

Received the truck back this afternoon. To be fair, the dealer has been communicative, helpful, and interested in solving my problem. It is my second vehicle from this dealer (wife's Grand Cherokee), and I traded my 17 F350 for the Ram rather the than an F150 because I really like the service adviser. Anyway, here's what I got...

They put on about 40 miles. Tech took it home last night. Couldn't reproduce. He saw the oily drip, acknowledges it was there, but it hasn't come back since they have had vehicle. Believes it may be "assembly lube", but why didn't they think it was assembly lube before they replaced my main seal on the first visit? Anyway, Berniez is a smart guy, they installed tracer dye and advised I should drive for 1500 miles. Great on the tracer dye, but if it starts again, hell if I am going to drive for 1500 miles with oil dripping out. When I was 16 driving an IH Scout beater that I had to throw an old floor mat under to catch oil from hitting my parents driveway, sure. On a 65K truck with less than 700 miles, I am less than thrilled.

But, I will run the crap out of it for a week and see. If it is fixed, I will hop on here and give emphatic kudos to my dealer. I hope that is the case because after having my fillings come loose banging around in F350's for years, even top of the line ones, it sure is nice to drive the Ram.

Good luck with it! Personally, suggesting assembly lube seems a real stretch. Make sure you confirm the dye is in the crankcase - pull dipstick and blacklight. You'll either end this satisfied with your dealer or learning you may like the service manager but finding there's no service.

I feel you too - put my 2019 in for a couple days of pampering getting PPF and ceramic coating. Been riding in my pristine 2004 GMC Yukon 2500 XL big-block, 2wd, floater and my 1-ton RAM dually. Need a trip to the back ******* and dentist I think after a few weeks in the 19!