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Oil leakage/seepage

Sascwatch

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I had my dealer perform my last few oil changes and had always trusted that they’d let me know if there was a leak or something wrong under my truck while it’s in the shop but I guess I shouldn’t have had so much faith.

I just got done doing my oil change myself and noticed a few unsettling things while I was under the truck.

First thing I saw was a nice oil leak from the drivers side front differential.

After searching around a bit more I’ve discovered that oil is seeping from the engine near the alternator mounting bolts and the AC compressor bolts. I could find where it’s coming from but I’m assuming it’s the front timing cover.

I thought I was doing good with this new Gen3 motor but I guess not. After 35000 miles issues are starting to appear that shouldn’t until a much higher mileage. The oil seepage isn’t bad enough for it to drip yet, but it will only get worse. Back to the dealer it goes.

Pics are bad as there wasn’t much daylight.
 

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NorthStar

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I had my dealer perform my last few oil changes and had always trusted that they’d let me know if there was a leak or something wrong under my truck while it’s in the shop but I guess I shouldn’t have had so much faith.

I just got done doing my oil change myself and noticed a few unsettling things while I was under the truck.

First thing I saw was a nice oil leak from the drivers side front differential.

After searching around a bit more I’ve discovered that oil is seeping from the engine near the alternator mounting bolts and the AC compressor bolts. I could find where it’s coming from but I’m assuming it’s the front timing cover.

I thought I was doing good with this new Gen3 motor but I guess not. After 35000 miles issues are starting to appear that shouldn’t until a much higher mileage. The oil seepage isn’t bad enough for it to drip yet, but it will only get worse. Back to the dealer it goes.

Pics are bad as there wasn’t much daylight.
I’m always amazed how a dealer service department will point out you need your in-dash air filter changed despite not being able to see it yet miss all that oil under an engine. My wife says I have selective hearing…I’d say the Mopar mechanics have selective vision. 😉
 

WXman

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Yeah everybody knows my Ram leaked. Well now my 4 month old Jeep is leaking too. Built 18 months apart. Can't believe this is still an issue.
 

NorthStar

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Yeah everybody knows my Ram leaked. Well now my 4 month old Jeep is leaking too. Built 18 months apart. Can't believe this is still an issue.
Am curious if both leaking from the same spot/area or different?
 

WXman

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Am curious if both leaking from the same spot/area or different?

Ram was leaking from driver side, front of block, up high on the timing cover.

Jeep is leaking passenger side, front of block, down lower on the cover.

In both cases, the bolt heads showed oil dripping off them from the oil pan, which is how I noticed it.
 

Sascwatch

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I’m not seeing and drips yet, but it’s right around the timing cover on both sides of my motor that are leaking. Right around the alternator and the ac compressor. Bringing it in on Thursday.

Front differential is either leaking between the case halves or from the drivers side axle seal.

Warranties are great, but continuous issues aren’t. At least my truck is driving, my buddy just got a new GMC with the 3.0 duramax and the dealer can’t figure out what’s wrong with it. Less that 50 miles on that one.
 

Sascwatch

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Here are some better pics of the oil leaks.
 

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c3k

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Here are some better pics of the oil leaks.

Great pix. Sucks that your truck has 2(?) oil leaks.

I couldn't help but notice your alternator is plugged with clippings. Looks like a working truck. ;)
 

Sascwatch

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It sees lots of old logging roads, I plan on getting some sort of skid plate/cover to close the gap between the bumper and the front crossmember once it’s available.
 

Sascwatch

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I’ve been waiting to wash it until the dealer takes a look, don’t want to wash off any evidence. I am at 57800km now and the bumper to bumper warranty runs out at 60000km. I have a mopar extended warranty until 5 years or 200000km but would rather deal with these minor leaks before the turn into a big issue.

Most of the “dirt” you see is an undercoating I had applied by the dealer before I bought the truck, it’s almost like a wax coating that dried up to a dirt road grey/brown colour.
 

Rebelguy2020

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I’ve been waiting to wash it until the dealer takes a look, don’t want to wash off any evidence. I am at 57800km now and the bumper to bumper warranty runs out at 60000km. I have a mopar extended warranty until 5 years or 200000km but would rather deal with these minor leaks before the turn into a big issue.

Most of the “dirt” you see is an undercoating I had applied by the dealer before I bought the truck, it’s almost like a wax coating that dried up to a dirt road grey/brown colour.
I’ve been waiting to wash it until the dealer takes a look, don’t want to wash off any evidence. I am at 57800km now and the bumper to bumper warranty runs out at 60000km. I have a mopar extended warranty until 5 years or 200000km but would rather deal with these minor leaks before the turn into a big issue.

Most of the “dirt” you see is an undercoating I had applied by the dealer before I bought the truck, it’s almost like a wax coating that dried up to a dirt road grey/brown colour.
I put the thick molasses type Shell Rotella T6 oil to avoid engine leaks! Just kidding, I should go under my truck and check too, that’s a bummer for the leaks, it might not get worse, it is sometimes normal to have slight seepage before the seals seat properly after so many revolutions or that gaskets swell up after the components get to operating temperatures, although gaskets are often eliminated these days and replaced with sealers.
You put a lot of Kms, My Rebel is at 38,500 km, I did not get the extended warranty, it was $4,800. I was always lucky and never had to spend on major repairs since I switched to Dodge, Ram and Jeep back in 1994, total of 3 Caravans, 3 Rams, 3 Jeeps and 1 Caliber.
Warranty is always good to have but it is scary to have work done when sometimes just a basic oil change at certain dealerships can be a challenge.
I hope you get it all fixed up, will your dealer give you a loaner if your Rebel has to spend time in the shop?
 

Sascwatch

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I put the thick molasses type Shell Rotella T6 oil to avoid engine leaks! Just kidding, I should go under my truck and check too, that’s a bummer for the leaks, it might not get worse, it is sometimes normal to have slight seepage before the seals seat properly after so many revolutions or that gaskets swell up after the components get to operating temperatures, although gaskets are often eliminated these days and replaced with sealers.
You put a lot of Kms, My Rebel is at 38,500 km, I did not get the extended warranty, it was $4,800. I was always lucky and never had to spend on major repairs since I switched to Dodge, Ram and Jeep back in 1994, total of 3 Caravans, 3 Rams, 3 Jeeps and 1 Caliber.
Warranty is always good to have but it is scary to have work done when sometimes just a basic oil change at certain dealerships can be a challenge.
I hope you get it all fixed up, will your dealer give you a loaner if your Rebel has to spend time in the shop?
I purchased an extended warranty out to 5 years or 160000km from mopar when I bought the truck, it also covers a loaner or rental anytime the truck is there for more than one day.

I took the truck in to get the sway bar end links replaced under warranty for a front end rattle noise at low speeds knowing it wasn’t the issue as they had zero play when I checked them out waiting for parts. I’m suspecting ball joints but have to wait for the dealer to check it out.

I’ve been really lucky with my dealer so far and it’s been the same service advisor and tech working on my truck since I bought it, I went into the shop this visit and showed the tech the suspected leaks which in his opinion are light seeping or staining. At this point it’s best not to open anything up as there isn’t actually a “leak” I agreed with him and will continue to monitor it. The moment I see it worsen it’ll be in getting fixed.

On a side note, I managed to get my warranty for about half price along with an underbody coating that comes with a lifetime warranty for next to nothing. Just some piece of mind I guess with a mostly new engine.
 

Rebelguy2020

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I purchased an extended warranty out to 5 years or 160000km from mopar when I bought the truck, it also covers a loaner or rental anytime the truck is there for more than one day.

I took the truck in to get the sway bar end links replaced under warranty for a front end rattle noise at low speeds knowing it wasn’t the issue as they had zero play when I checked them out waiting for parts. I’m suspecting ball joints but have to wait for the dealer to check it out.

I’ve been really lucky with my dealer so far and it’s been the same service advisor and tech working on my truck since I bought it, I went into the shop this visit and showed the tech the suspected leaks which in his opinion are light seeping or staining. At this point it’s best not to open anything up as there isn’t actually a “leak” I agreed with him and will continue to monitor it. The moment I see it worsen it’ll be in getting fixed.

On a side note, I managed to get my warranty for about half price along with an underbody coating that comes with a lifetime warranty for next to nothing. Just some piece of mind I guess with a mostly new engine.
That’s good to hear about your service.
I also got the undercoating and rustproofing for less than half price, I should have tried to bargain for the extended warranty.
 

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