5.9 Cummins - what fluid is this leaking? - Page 2

gs1949 · 07-20-2019, 09:28 AM

You've been seeing the evidence of how detrimental it is. If it is the crankshaft seal, and I've seen nothing on this thread to suggest it's not, it will just keep leaking worse and worse until it's fixed.

HazMatt · 07-20-2019, 09:32 AM

No, a torque wrench is not needed, tho it will be a good addition to eventually have in your tool box.
I'd earlier suggested "tightening" the others, to get a feel for how tightly they're installed before checking drippy. It won't be a lot- small steel bolt into aluminum won't even be in the same time zone as your lug nuts as far as torque!
Break all 4 bolts loose, then run them out.
I'd allow the plate to open away from me, in case there is a deluge. A pan or rags under the plate will be appreciated by your folx.
Have your flashlight ready, so you can peer up into the cavity, after it stops raining petro chemicals.
Maybe a foto of what's up inside, as well as a wider shot of the area, will be worth posting.
Safety glasses and nitrile gloves are recommended before starting, btw...
PS: The seal is meant to keep the oil where it belongs, and nearly as important, OFF what it needn't be on.

Rivetboy · 07-20-2019, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wysiwyg

Oh boy.. thanks guys. RivetBoy, (or anyone), how detrimental is a leak from the rear seal?

It is annoying and gets worse over time. Guarnteed your folks will not want you parking in the driveway. As it gets worse it will cover everything under the bus with oil. This was with a bad tappet cover gasket in my example, but the rear seal leaking will make a big mess too. And you have to have due diligence checking your oil. But if it is your tappet cover, it will get to the point where it is not safe to drive . It will get worse. I blew out a couple of quarts driving my bus home a hundred and fifty miles.Rear seal more of an annoyance. An exspensive and big job.

wysiwyg · 07-20-2019, 09:39 AM

I will check it for those various things and take new pics when I get a chance to go back to it. So is it endangering the engine or inner workings by leaking into that gear area? That seems to be only place it’s leaking. Do I just top it off every so often when it’s needed? There’s no way I can do what’s needed to repair it ( if that’s what is in fact wrong) and probably no feasible way atm to hire a garage for that...

HazMatt · 07-20-2019, 09:46 AM

As RB, said, it's an annoyance. Also a hazard and messy.
That oil will migrate towards the back while driving, and will then have dust adsorb to it, eventually making a gawdawful mess of nearly your entire undercarriage.
If it proves the rear seal is the culprit, you may be able to make a gasket between the plate and it's mounting position, tho you would need to periodically open it to drain before more'n a couple of inches accumulate inside.
Might be simpler to tap the plate for a drain plug...
BTW: Good on ya for filling in your profile specs! [emoji106]

SolomonEagle · 07-20-2019, 09:48 AM

Than yes, just keep an eye on the oil and keep it topped off. Check it often until you get a better idea of how fast it is being used. As long as the engine has enough oil in it, just the pollution to the ground is all ya have to worry about. Keep a pan,kitty litter, cardboard, or rags handy to put under the bus when parked. If you drive it in the rain like this it is go a look really bad to anyone watching as the oil will spread out 100x and be quite obvious.

Rivetboy · 07-20-2019, 09:51 AM

[QUOTE So is it endangering the engine or inner workings by leaking into that gear area?[/QUOTE]

No, that gear you see is the ring gear that the starter motor engages into. The ring gear is part of the flexplate that is bolted to the torque converter. The flexplate itself is bolted to the end of the crankshaft. The torque converter slides on to the transmission mainshaft and has a seal in the front of the transmission to keep the transmission fluid inside the torque converter and the transmission. So, nothing in there to damage with an oil bath.

wysiwyg · 07-20-2019, 10:09 AM

Cool. Well this issue is starting to look not terrible. I’m pretty sure it’s not the tappet covers because all that looks dry. I’ll check that too when I get back to the bus. I am on vacation so probably will get back to it in a day or two..

Rivetboy · 07-20-2019, 10:30 AM

[QUOTE=Cool. I am on vacation[/QUOTE]

They sell "diapers" for cars...

Ronnie · 07-20-2019, 11:32 AM

As long as you keep oil in the engine and do not mind a few drips it is a non issue. If it gets really worse then it might be time to do something. Same with transmission.

HazMatt · 07-20-2019, 11:42 AM

"Vacation" = slave over bus! Dincha know?!
These are the absolute cat's ass for oil spills and mopping up.
Spendy, but WAY worth it. I still have about a third of a bundle left over on board.
https://www.newpig.com/pig-oil-only-...t-pad/p/MAT423
Wicked awesome to have at hand, at need.

wysiwyg · 07-20-2019, 12:23 PM

So I’m thinking add a gasket to the panel and calling it? I still haven’t been back to confirm the fluid. I’ll let y’all know. Thankss

gs1949 · 07-20-2019, 04:07 PM

@HazMatt, those look assume. My next oil change will be better, but those would have come in very handy the first time. Thjanks for sharing that link.

@wysiwyg, That might cause more problems. I would recommend finding out first whether that patch came from the factory or was installed later in an inevitably futile attempt to hide a problem that might hamper a sale.

HazMatt · 07-20-2019, 04:13 PM

You betcha! I get no benefit from Pig's sales, doesn't mean I wont let all y'all know that they exist, and work as advertised.
Petro-philia ain't a bad thang...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gs1949

@HazMatt, those look assume. My next oil change will be better, but those would have come in very handy the first time. Thjanks for sharing that link.

@wysiwyg, That might cause more problems. I would recommend finding out first whether that patch came from the factory or was installed later in an inevitably futile attempt to hide a problem that might hamper a sale.

Pretty sure that cover plate is purely OEM...

gs1949 · 07-20-2019, 04:28 PM

It might be OEM, but on my BlueBird, it's just open and an Allison expert with a large stock of NOS Allison parts said there was no plug.

Obviously, I should try find someone who knows that much about BlueBird or Cummins parts.

HazMatt · 07-20-2019, 05:26 PM

That ain't gonna be me!
My bus is a Sh1t Bird ...

gs1949 · 07-20-2019, 05:36 PM

That must be a confident bus because you're obviously not to concerned about hurting its feelings.

HazMatt · 07-20-2019, 05:50 PM

I typed that last VERY quietly.
Shush! She's still sleeping...

EastCoastCB · 07-20-2019, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivetboy

It is annoying and gets worse over time. Guarnteed your folks will not want you parking in the driveway. As it gets worse it will cover everything under the bus with oil. This was with a bad tappet cover gasket in my example, but the rear seal leaking will make a big mess too. And you have to have due diligence checking your oil. But if it is your tappet cover, it will get to the point where it is not safe to drive . It will get worse. I blew out a couple of quarts driving my bus home a hundred and fifty miles.Rear seal more of an annoyance. An exspensive and big job.

Rear main seal is about $400-$800 depending on the make/model and who's doing it. The Navistar/Cummins center near me does them for $700.

EastCoastCB · 07-20-2019, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gs1949

It might be OEM, but on my BlueBird, it's just open and an Allison expert with a large stock of NOS Allison parts said there was no plug.

Obviously, I should try find someone who knows that much about BlueBird or Cummins parts.

Its not a Bluebird or Allison part. Its on your Cummins engine.

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