How to do oil leak repair

[RSG]

Oil is in the valley. Oil is in the driveway. Oil is dripping off the rear end of engine, and probably coming from way up above. It isn't a lot of oil, just enough to motivate me to get ready to fix it.

Is there a wiki or other thread on how to track down and fix oil leaks. I've seen many threads on the HPOP and Turbo pedestal o-rings, but being a dope about how to go about this without tearing something up (or snapping it in the cold), I'm trying to study up first. My searches here this am didn't find much.

I see that I had the HPOP o-rings replaced under warranty in May 2006.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help

 

[Zookie400]

in my opinion, the best way to find an oil leak is to clean the engine (i use a powerwasher) and run it for a few minutes (sometimes it takes longer for slower leaks) and then go look around for your leak.

 

[bushpilot]

you gotta clean it up 1st....and dry it as best you can...otherwise
youll NEVER find the leak.

a light dusting w/ baby powder can help you trace the leak to the
TOP

 

[RSG]

Roger that, cleaning is job 1.

 

[iracemine]

symptoms sounded the same on mine, and it was the boost couplers on the x pipe.

 

[Crumm]

Along with cleaning it up and tracing the source you need to be sure it is actually oil and not diesel. Once you have the valley all flushed out you can trace how far forward it is starting. My last oil leak was the hpop gasket which made a trail through the whole valley as where a turbo leak would only show in the back of the valley.

 

[RSG]

It's oil for sure. I changed the fuel filter last weekend and had a good look-see. There is a minor puddle right below the HPOP in the valley (as I recall, since I bought it 4 or 5 years ago), and all the way back and down to the weep hole above my newly cleaned driveway. None of the bolts on the HPOP that I can see appear particularly weepy.

But the pipes downstream of the turbo are getting more and more messy...guess I need to do the breather mod too.

I got a can of degreaser, if the temps warm up above freezing I'll give it a shot tomorrow!

Thanks!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Look at the EBPV actuator on the turbo pedestal. Leaks from around the actuator rod is not uncommon.

 

[Crumm]

There is a minor puddle right below the HPOP in the valley

Normally the oil will not flow forward in the valley unless it is a big leak so it is probably something to do with the HPOP. Could be the HPOP gasket or the o-rings where the hoses attach.

 

[RSG]

Ok, I cleaned it last Sunday and drove it all week (damn it stunk -- didn't wash it off so well as I thought).

I inspected all around the HPOP and the fuel filter bowl too. It is dry. Today I'll look back at the EBPV and turbo area too. As big as the truck is, I wish the engine were mounted forward 18"...

Where can I find a picture of what each line to the HPOP does, and where the likely suspect o-rings all fit? Or maybe you can just answer if I upload a pic...?

Thanks!