Main Seal Leak - the saga continues

[Nails]

^^^^^thats not a trans leak. Sure is a rear oil leak issue

 

[trdt44]

^^^^^thats not a trans leak. Sure is a rear oil leak issue

It does look like it but the information in this thread has at least put some doubt in the diagnosis for me. I am curious why the oil is leaking on one side if the housing and why the oil looked so clean and new with 5,000 miles on it. When I changed the engine oil it was quite dirty. Either way my 1st Ram purchase is off to a good start.

 

[Nails]

I do know that they have had updated rear cam seals that leak oil. That maybe the issue

 

[JD fixes it]

Any updates on any of these leaks?

 

[Thefamman]

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.

Exactly same spot for me. And after a good highway run pull in turn the truck off and two drips hit the ground before I can see it
After that I just have two pending drips at all times.

 

[JD fixes it]

Exactly same spot for me. And after a good highway run pull in turn the truck off and two drips hit the ground before I can see it
After that I just have two pending drips at all times.

So I took mine to the dealer (1300 miles) and spoke with the transmission specialist who looked at it. He didn't try and BS me, he just gave it to me straight. He first hit it with an ultraviolet light to rule out engine oil. Because it reacted to the light he narrowed it down to grease or transmission fluid. Both react to the light. He said he felt pretty good about it being grease, saying it had the consistency he would expect from heated grease, but would pull the transmission to get a better look if I wanted him to do that. I asked what the other option was and he said he could pull a cover or bracket of some kind off to gain limited access to the area and clean all the excess grease out that he could get to and then we could keep an eye on it and see if it comes back. This was just before the long 4th of July weekend and I really didn't want to spend 4 days in a loaner car so I opted for option number 2. It's been over a week now and the Bell Housing is dry as a bone still. I have and will continue to check it every couple of days and if it does come back, I will report here.

 

[JD fixes it]

***Update*** I have checked it a couple times a week over the past couple of weeks and it has not returned...It's looking like it was actually grease. I have about 2100 miles now.

 

[jgibbons1685]

Well, You can add me to the list. My truck (7800 miles) is now sitting in the shop so they can “dig deeper” into the issue. The service manager stated that they believe it to be a transmission issue. We’ll see what happens.

 

[RamCares]

Well, You can add me to the list. My truck (7800 miles) is now sitting in the shop so they can “dig deeper” into the issue. The service manager stated that they believe it to be a transmission issue. We’ll see what happens.

Just had a chance to respond to your PM on this!

Mark
RamCares

 

[RG504]

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.

My experience has been much the same, but I immediately revoked my acceptance of the vehicle under Georgia law (a right we have under the Uniform Commercial Code) and tendered the truck back to the dealer due to the fact that it was delivered to me with a major drivetrain defect.

By way of background, I bought my brand new 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 Rebel on September 19, 2020. On October 3, 2020, with less than 200 miles on the odometer, I had to crawl under the truck to retrieve a fastener that I dropped. That is when I discovered an oil leak where the transmission meets the engine. I took a photo of it and immediately notified the dealer.

On October 6, 2020, I returned the truck to the dealer to determine the nature and cause of the oil leak. On October 9, 2020, the dealer notified me that the oil leak was caused by a defective rear main seal.

In light of the fact that the rear main seal defect existed at the time of the delivery of the truck (I think we can all reasonably conclude this), I immediately notified the dealer in writing of my revocation of acceptance of the truck and my rejection of the truck as delivered. I also requested that the dealer replace the truck with a new vehicle devoid of any defects. A new truck has been ordered.

Your laws may differ, but in Georgia a buyer may revoke acceptance of an item whose nonconformity substantially impairs its value (as in the case of a major drivetrain defect) if acceptance was reasonably induced by the difficulty of discovery of the issue before acceptance, which is the case with a faulty rear main seal. A buyer’s revocation of acceptance must occur within a reasonable time after the buyer discovers or should have discovered the grounds for it and before any substantial change in condition of the item. The point is, you should let them know immediately and before you put any major miles on the vehicle. At least in Georgia, the lemon law is not the exclusive remedy and you need not pursue a breach of warranty claim. In fact, pursuing a warranty claim is likely axiomatic to your claim, which is essentially stating “I’m giving this back to you because it is not what I bargained for when I paid you.”

I hope my story helps and I wish you all luck with your issues.

P.S. For those of you who may be saying to yourselves nothing is perfect, including mass produced vehicles, I get it. But I think we can all agree that when we put our hard-earned cash down on a new vehicle, we are entitled to receive a new vehicle, not one that is broken upon arrival.

 

[Bram2019]

I understand your frustration. But you are equating what you paid for this vehicle in your mind to the fact you should have received a perfect vehicle. The price is not relevant. Generally most people will give the dealer a chance to correct the problem. If he does not, then pursue lemon laws. You got unlucky and did not receive a perfect vehicle. Never saw one that is mass produced at any price. Oil leaks sucks. But parts assembled by machines can have flaws. Good luck in your pursuit.

 

[RG504]

Thanks, Bram2019. I agree nothing is perfect, especially with mass-produced vehicles, but I personally don't equate purchasing a new vehicle with gambling, so I don't think luck should ever factor into it. Anyway, I appreciate you weighing in.

 

[Aussiemex]

Hi everyone,

I had a very similar experience. My rear main seal was replaced and a leak continued. Finally after 3 different service departments and FCA
involvement I had the leak resolved. The flywheel was removed to reveal a leak coming from the cam freeze plug.

 

[Bram2019]

Hi everyone,

I had a very similar experience. My rear main seal was replaced and a leak continued. Finally after 3 different service departments and FCA
involvement I had the leak resolved. The flywheel was removed to reveal a leak coming from the cam freeze plug.

Those techs were very careless in their attempt to fix the leak. To change a rear main seal requires transmission removal and oil pan removal. If they had put dye in the oil, they would have seen the source of the leak. This all assumes they actually pulled your transmission.

 

[Thefamman]

Wow same exact issue same place but they said oil pan gasket and this was my repair now I get to go back and fight to get them to replace the oil pan not to mention now the whole engine is covered in oil. Mine has leaked for coupe months now after they found it on my first 5000 mile change.

 

[Nails]

I had this also. Same place and bolt area. When truck was first new. For me the tech removed some stuff & cleaned it. Hasn’t been back since I’m 20k now

 

[Big White RAM]

I had this also. Same place and bolt area. When truck was first new. For me the tech removed some stuff & cleaned it. Hasn’t been back since I’m 20k now

That gives me hope, as I noticed a single droplet of honey colored oil in the same area when changing my oil last week; nothing on the garage floor. Maybe it is in fact, as another member mentioned, grease in the bell housing that his tech cleaned out and the problem was solved.

 

[Olive Green 5.7]

Thanks, Bram2019. I agree nothing is perfect, especially with mass-produced vehicles, but I personally don't equate purchasing a new vehicle with gambling, so I don't think luck should ever factor into it. Anyway, I appreciate you weighing in.

Do you have any update on this?

 

[Nails]

That gives me hope, as I noticed a single droplet of honey colored oil in the same area when changing my oil last week; nothing on the garage floor. Maybe it is in fact, as another member mentioned, grease in the bell housing that his tech cleaned out and the problem was solved.

Let’s hope so, on the other side a few others have had where it’s actually the porous case that was leaking through. Mine was a greenish blue/honey color mix. And the few others had same but def more green/blue after multi cleanings of there own. Which they then took into dealer. Either way, it’s covered under warranty. Just some inconvenience to you/family

 

[Thefamman]

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.

Mine was some oil plug above the transmission they said not the main seal but exactly the same photos