Oil leak?? Need help

[nickan1919]

2016 ram 1500 bighorn4x4 3.6L

I have been having an oil leak for a while now, I first noticed it about a year ago when I was under the truck and saw oil sprayed all over frame, oil pan, transmission pan and leaks on ground. Tends to leak more so after driving for a little while and then parking it.

I checked the oil filter housing originally and saw oil pooled up under it and replaced it with aluminum housing, replaces pressure sensors and even replaced pcv valve.
I am still having the same damn issue, minus oil around filter housing. I cant tell where it may be coming from. Any ideas of where to check that this year may be prone to leak from?

 

[grizzstang]

Are you positive your Oil Cooler isn't still leaking. Did you use the gaskets that came with it or OEM gaskets or better?

What brand of Aluminum Housing did you use?

How much oil are you losing?

When the cooler is leaking you should be able to see the oil running down the side of your transmission bell housing and then it drips off the bottom and sprays all the areas you listed above.

It could also be a rear main seal leak. The Pentastars do have that issue too.

 

[stenerson]

I'm having the same problem. Was debating starting a thread asking for advice. I thought I was burning oil, but then looked underneath and oil running down as described by grizzstand. I've been searching on this forum for info on the oil filter housing replacement. I'm assuming it's the most likely culprit now at 176K miles.

 

[Daw14]

Degrease , pressure wash , or some how clean the engine .
Then you should be able to locate the source of the oil.
If it is just an oily mess it can be very difficult to find.

 

[olyelr]

How long ago did you replace the filter housing/cooler? Did you clean all the oil off the back of the motor and trans once you did that?

 

[nickan1919]

I replaced the filter housing during the summer, I'll have to check my email for where I got it. I believe it was from oriellys. I originally got the same kind that was on it from autozone but there was a Crack in it already. I checked under it again a few days ago to make sure there was no oil under the housing but it was dry. Ill post pics as soon as I get off work of the part, and oil soaked locations. Ill also try spraying with decreaser and cleaning everything off to try to spot anything

 

[stenerson]

Degrease , pressure wash , or some how clean the engine .
Then you should be able to locate the source of the oil.
If it is just an oily mess it can be very difficult to find.

It's hard to tell with the 3.6L. Ya got to remove the air intake tube, throttle body, and the upper and lower intake manifolds to really see if it's coming from the oil filter/cooler housing.

 

[RamInfo]

Degrease , pressure wash , or some how clean the engine .
Then you should be able to locate the source of the oil.
If it is just an oily mess it can be very difficult to find.

And toss a sprinkling of talcum powder on the suspect surfaces. A short drive following that should reveal the leak.

RI

 

[Wild one]

I replaced the filter housing during the summer, I'll have to check my email for where I got it. I believe it was from oriellys. I originally got the same kind that was on it from autozone but there was a Crack in it already. I checked under it again a few days ago to make sure there was no oil under the housing but it was dry. Ill post pics as soon as I get off work of the part, and oil soaked locations. Ill also try spraying with decreaser and cleaning everything off to try to spot anything

Run it through your local carwash and hose the engine off after you spray it down with degreaser.Always easier to find leaks on a clean engine

 

[olyelr]

I replaced the filter housing during the summer, I'll have to check my email for where I got it. I believe it was from oriellys. I originally got the same kind that was on it from autozone but there was a Crack in it already. I checked under it again a few days ago to make sure there was no oil under the housing but it was dry. Ill post pics as soon as I get off work of the part, and oil soaked locations. Ill also try spraying with decreaser and cleaning everything off to try to spot anything

Did you clean all the oil off after the repair? If not, what makes you think there is still a leak?

 

[stenerson]

I am still having the same damn issue, minus oil around filter housing. I cant tell where it may be coming from. Any ideas of where to check that this year may be prone to leak from?

Someone on another thread recommended an endoscope/boroscope. Got mine yesterday and just played with it now. snaked it by the oil filter housing and it confirmed the leaks coming from there. Nice little tool for just under 20 bucks on Amazon. Now I got to decide on the right replacement housing cooler/ orings to use. There are as many opinions on this as there are vehicles.

Amazon.com

 

[garycarrick]

Had this same issue on my 14. Dodge did a dye test. Turned out to be the main seal.

 

[nickan1919]

Sorry yall, was in the hospital and in recovery for a while. I sprayed the undercarriage with degreaser and washed it today. Drove about 4 hours today. And this is what it looks like. Im thinking rear main seal. Just curious of anyone else has suggestions. Also, the oil filter housing is still dry and clean after replacing last year.

 

[stenerson]

Also, the oil filter housing is still dry and clean after replacing last year.

How did you check that visually?

 

[nickan1919]

Checked with flashlight and mirror first. Then I took off the intake plenum and lower intake manifold..

 

[Pokealong 42]

I hate to say it, go only with OEM...

 

[markabby]

Sorry yall, was in the hospital and in recovery for a while. I sprayed the undercarriage with degreaser and washed it today. Drove about 4 hours today. And this is what it looks like. Im thinking rear main seal. Just curious of anyone else has suggestions. Also, the oil filter housing is still dry and clean after replacing last year.

nice not having road salt kissing your truck for 6 months of the year. Looks great under there.

 

[grizzstang]

Looks to me like it is running down the sides of your trans which means it is coming from above, like the oil cooler.

If it was your rear main seal it would be dripping out the bottom of the trans bell housing where it meets the engine.