Oil Leak Under Truck

[swexlin]

Good afternoon. I've owned this truck for 13 months now, and it has been perfect - until now. Noticed some spotting on my driveway this weekend. Crawled under the truck, and noticed I have a leak on the passenger side, coming off what I think is the steering box? I'm sorry, I don't know the name of it.

On edit: I crawled back under the truck, and looking up at the filter, it's dripping off the bottom of that. I can't get in there to see if tight. My dealer tech last changed oil in November when it was in for PA state inspection, that was 4000 miles ago. I'm at 52% on the oil life gauge, and my oil is on the "s" in the safe zone on the dipstick.

Truck is 2016 1500 5.7 with 8-speed. It's under warranty of course, so I'll be calling my dealer tomorrow to make an appointment. I just want know what to tell my service advisor. I have a good relationship with him, because of my Viper, which has had more issues than you want to know. Thank you

Here's a pic:

 

[MADDOG]

If you can't reach up there to tighten it, stop by the dealer to have a tech look at it to see if it's a loose filter or something else.

If it didn't leak right away after the last oil change it's possible the filter has worked loose a bit, or it suffered a slight strike from something flicked up at it or there is a leak somewhere else besides the filter.

 

[swexlin]

If you can't reach up there to tighten it, stop by the dealer to have a tech look at it to see if it's a loose filter or something else.

If it didn't leak right away after the last oil change it's possible the filter has worked loose a bit, or it suffered a slight strike from something flicked up at it or there is a leak somewhere else besides the filter.

Thank you. Truck has about 13,500 miles on it. And yes, this leak just started, , and filter has been on for 4000 miles, so something changed. Even though I'm at 52%, I'll just have my tech due a complete change as long as he's in there.

Also, shining a flashlight down from the top side of the engine, everything appears dry. Can't see any noticeable leaks anywhere. Going through a similar issue on the Viper - I can't win!

 

[whetrick1]

Mine did the same thing and they told me it blew the oil seal on the oil filter. They changed the oil again. And I told them that I wanted it documented that they were at fault with this problem.


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[whetrick1]

And that's probably what is happening with yours.


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[swexlin]

Mine did the same thing and they told me it blew the oil seal on the oil filter. They changed the oil again. And I told them that I wanted it documented that they were at fault with this problem.


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Thank you. That's what I'm thinking - but since truck is under warranty, I want it documented. I see you have 2016 as well, how many miles on you filter when the seal failed?

 

[Hipps2000]

There was an oil thread recall on a few of the 4th gens....the threads for the oil filters was t long enough and some folks filters were coming loose. Not sure which years.

 

[swexlin]

There was an oil thread recall on a few of the 4th gens....the threads for the oil filters was t long enough and some folks filters were coming loose. Not sure which years.

Yeah, I don't think that one applies to me. Hoping it's just a bad filter, and not something else. Other than this, the truck has been the best Mopar I've ever owned, car or truck.

Calling my service advisor tomorrow, I'll update after I can get the truck in to be looked at. Thanks for the help fellas!

 

[boomer632]

Reach up there and tighten the filter. Thwn spray it all down with can of brake cleaner. I got about 3/4 turn on mine after dealer changed the oil. Your drip is in the same place as mine.. bottom of steering rack. Lots of people having same issue. On all of my past vehicles Ive always tightened them as tight as i could get it by hand. On a 5.7.. it will eventually come lose unless you put a wrench to it.

 

[whetrick1]

Thank you. That's what I'm thinking - but since truck is under warranty, I want it documented. I see you have 2016 as well, how many miles on you filter when the seal failed?

It had around 3500 on it. And when I looked understand the truck it had leaked on the right side on the power steering servo


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[whetrick1]

They changed my oil when they found the filter leaking and now it's been about 3000 miles ago and it's clean as a whistle under there, they even clean the under carriage of the truck.


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[swexlin]

They changed my oil when they found the filter leaking and now it's been about 3000 miles ago and it's clean as a whistle under there, they even clean the understand carriage of the truck.


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Good to hear. I hope that's what mine will turn out to be as well.

 

[whetrick1]

Well when you find out let me know


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[RamCares]

Yeah, I don't think that one applies to me. Hoping it's just a bad filter, and not something else. Other than this, the truck has been the best Mopar I've ever owned, car or truck.

Calling my service advisor tomorrow, I'll update after I can get the truck in to be looked at. Thanks for the help fellas!

Hi swexlin,

You can enter your VIN here to view any past or current recalls on your vehicle: https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.html. I'd be happy to follow up with your dealership for you if needed, just PM our page with your VIN and let me know!

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[swexlin]

Hi swexlin,

You can enter your VIN here to view any past or current recalls on your vehicle: https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls.html. I'd be happy to follow up with your dealership for you if needed, just PM our page with your VIN and let me know!

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

Thank you Andrea. I have an appointment to drop the truck off tomorrow. I have a good relationship with my service and advisor and Viper tech, the take good care of both my vehicles. I don't anticipate any problem.

But I appreciate the follow up. We need someone like you over on the Viper forums!

 

[RamCares]

Thank you Andrea. I have an appointment to drop the truck off tomorrow. I have a good relationship with my service and advisor and Viper tech, the take good care of both my vehicles. I don't anticipate any problem.

But I appreciate the follow up. We need someone like you over on the Viper forums!

Hi swexlin,

If anything changes during your appointment please don't hesitate to reach out! Also, any forum in particular? We could look into the possibility of adding it to our list.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[swexlin]

I just got the call, my truck is done. Bad filter, somehow either worked itself loose, or the seal went. They changed my oil, new filter, and cleaned everything up. Also heard from my Viper tech (who works there), and he says he has seen this before on the Rams, as evidenced by the other people posting here. I'll monitor it of course.

 

[whetrick1]

Yeah I look under the truck periodically and see if mine is still dry. And so far so good.


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[yoda]

We have had a few of the newer Hemis filters loosen up and leak. If you look at the instructions on the filter, I think it says 3/4 turn after filter gasket contacts. That's pretty dang tight. Tighter than most people install them by hand.
I always give em a little with a filter wrench.

 

[swexlin]

Good morning. I'm bumping my old thread. Well.....it's baaaaack……

Same issue as before. About 4000 miles since oil was changed (by my dealer) last April, and she's spotting the driveway again, and dripping from the same spot. I'm guessing it's the same issue. What's with the filters loosening on these trucks. Never had this happen on any other vehicle I've owned.

Since it's under warranty, and I want it documented in the record, I'm taking it in on Thursday for them to check. I'll have the cruise recall done as long as it's there.

Is this just a "thing" with these 5.7s? Like the leaky oil cooler lines are a "thing" with Vipers? (Don't get me started, LOL!)