Timing Case Cover Leak

[nrm257]

Hello all!

I'm in need of some help. I'll try and keep this concise. I noticed my truck had a small leak from the front end of the engine about a year ago. I noticed the leak right after my CP4 was replaced with a CP3. I didn't think the leak was bad until after a 2,200 mile road trip this last summer. I took the truck into my local dealership that replaced the CP4 and asked them to take a look at the leak. They confirmed that the leak is coming from the top right of the timing case cover near the oil pump. The dealership is stating that the leak has nothing to do with the work done previously when replacing the CP4/CP3.

My question(s):
1. Is the timing case removed when replacing the CP4 with the CP3?
2. If the case was removed, how likely is it that the case was simply not installed correctly causing a leak.
3. does anyone have a ballpark number for how much it would cost to get this leak fixed?

Thank you all for you help. I've learned a ton from this form!

 

[flan]

The timing case is not removed during the CP4 exchange. I don’t even want to hazard a guess on the cost, but “not cheap” is accurate. If it’s the inner case seal the entire front of the truck comes apart and the cam comes out. If it’s just the cover seal it’s less work, but still a fair amount of disassembly is required. They may even lift off the cab. Are you out of 5/100 engine warranty?

 

[Jeeper93436]

Hello all!

I'm in need of some help. I'll try and keep this concise. I noticed my truck had a small leak from the front end of the engine about a year ago. I noticed the leak right after my CP4 was replaced with a CP3. I didn't think the leak was bad until after a 2,200 mile road trip this last summer. I took the truck into my local dealership that replaced the CP4 and asked them to take a look at the leak. They confirmed that the leak is coming from the top right of the timing case cover near the oil pump. The dealership is stating that the leak has nothing to do with the work done previously when replacing the CP4/CP3.

My question(s):
1. Is the timing case removed when replacing the CP4 with the CP3?
2. If the case was removed, how likely is it that the case was simply not installed correctly causing a leak.
3. does anyone have a ballpark number for how much it would cost to get this leak fixed?

Thank you all for you help. I've learned a ton from this form!
View attachment 76855
View attachment 76857

My 2023 with 9k miles is going to the dealer next week with the same leak. I’m a technician and from what I can see it’s just the front timing cover 2.5hr of labor of what Alldata calls for. The rear timing cover is what’s a lot more labor. I was thinking of just resealing the front cover but instructions are to replace the cover, so I’ll let the warranty deal with it.

 

[nrm257]

The timing case is not removed during the CP4 exchange. I don’t even want to hazard a guess on the cost, but “not cheap” is accurate. If it’s the inner case seal the entire front of the truck comes apart and the cam comes out. If it’s just the cover seal it’s less work, but still a fair amount of disassembly is required. They may even lift off the cab. Are you out of 5/100 engine warranty?

Thank you for the reply. The dealership quoted me around $4500 for the replacement. I bought the truck used and was told I did not have a warranty on the truck. Is the 5/100 a different warranty than what comes with the truck when first purchased? Do you know of a way to check to see if the truck is under warranty?

 

[flan]

The engine is warrantied through Ram 5 years or 100k miles whichever comes first from initial date of purchase. It includes oil leaks.

 

[CTF2019]

The timing case is not removed during the CP4 exchange. I don’t even want to hazard a guess on the cost, but “not cheap” is accurate. If it’s the inner case seal the entire front of the truck comes apart and the cam comes out. If it’s just the cover seal it’s less work, but still a fair amount of disassembly is required. They may even lift off the cab. Are you out of 5/100 engine warranty?

On my truck, I saw not a leak, but light seepage (causing dust) on the top area where the case meets the block.


So when I did the flat tappet conversion, I made sure the replace the gasket and use oil resistant RTV as a dressing. So far, all dry.

 

[nrm257]

The engine is warrantied through Ram 5 years or 100k miles whichever comes first from initial date of purchase. It includes oil leaks.

I got ahold of MOPAR and they said that the warranty expired 2 months ago! They did say that they will be sending my case to a manager level to see if they can help me out. Hopefully I will get some good news in the next few days.

 

[flan]

That’s a bummer.

 

[Jeeper93436]

I got ahold of MOPAR and they said that the warranty expired 2 months ago! They did say that they will be sending my case to a manager level to see if they can help me out. Hopefully I will get some good news in the next few days.

I just heard back from my local dealer and they said the front cover is leaking. My leak looks exactly like yours. I would recommend you have a good independent shop give you another opinion. I was able to see from the top driver side of the engine the top driver side of the cover was wet around the bolts. I did not see the back of the timing cover wet like the other member posted.

 

[RamCares]

I got ahold of MOPAR and they said that the warranty expired 2 months ago! They did say that they will be sending my case to a manager level to see if they can help me out. Hopefully I will get some good news in the next few days.

Hi there! @Jeeper93436 @nrm257

Our team would like to help with this matter. Please reach out to us individually with any information you may possess such as your 17-character VIN, or case number if applicable. We'd like to provide assistance where able. Thank you, and we hope to connect soon.

Chris,
Ram Cares

 

[2500Ram]

On my truck, I saw not a leak, but light seepage (causing dust) on the top area where the case meets the block.
View attachment 76866

So when I did the flat tappet conversion, I made sure the replace the gasket and use oil resistant RTV as a dressing. So far, all dry.

Did you swap the cam when you did flat tappets? Is it all just 2018 and older parts? Any tuning required?

 

[CTF2019]

Did you swap the cam when you did flat tappets? Is it all just 2018 and older parts? Any tuning required?

2018 rockers. Everything else different.


It’s available as a kit from Hamilton Cams.

 

[20Limited3500]

Just went through this with mine for the timing case cover. Gasket started leaking close to the water pump area the tech said. It had sucked into the timing area and not blown out according to him.
17 hrs to do the work per ALLDATA. And I was 1 day outside of the factory Cummins warranty 5 yr period the day I dropped it off. Thought I had 1 more year to go on it.

 

[ultramagem]

Well I just joined the list of people who had the timing cover leak. The week before my montana elk hunt my 2020 started puking oil from the timing cover. My warranty expired in April of this year, since April I have poured over $7,000 into a 5 year old truck. DPF sensor went out, stuck front brake caliper cost me a $1,000 brake job now $5k plus to do the timing cover leak. I guess next week my truck eats the heater grid bolt or something. I have been driving Ram/Dodge trucks for 20 plus years but this might be my last one. We also have a hybrid pacifica that has been nothing but trouble since we bought it a few years ago. Luckily I also have a 2018 Ram 3500 with the 6.4 that I was able to hunt with. Besides the CP4 issue do GM and Ford truck have so many known major issues?

 

[flan]

Well I just joined the list of people who had the timing cover leak. The week before my montana elk hunt my 2020 started puking oil from the timing cover. My warranty expired in April of this year, since April I have poured over $7,000 into a 5 year old truck. DPF sensor went out, stuck front brake caliper cost me a $1,000 brake job now $5k plus to do the timing cover leak. I guess next week my truck eats the heater grid bolt or something. I have been driving Ram/Dodge trucks for 20 plus years but this might be my last one. We also have a hybrid pacifica that has been nothing but trouble since we bought it a few years ago. Luckily I also have a 2018 Ram 3500 with the 6.4 that I was able to hunt with. Besides the CP4 issue do GM and Ford truck have so many known major issues?

What went wrong with the cover to leak so much oil?

 

[ultramagem]

What went wrong with the cover to leak so much oil?

Timing gear housing cover had a sealant adhesion failure. That is how it was written up.

 

[ultramagem]

What went wrong with the cover to leak so much oil?

Timing cover gasket adhesion failure. That's how it was written up.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Hindsight and not meaning to pour salt in the wound, but this is why I bought an extended warranty on my 2020. A new engine design and all the electronics in these modern vehicles deserve consideration for buying additional coverage. Shop for discounts and it's affordable coverage. Cool thing about Maxcare is it's transferable and if it goes unused it's refundable.

Truck went in last week for excess regens and throwing PM sensor codes. Hopefully the parts they replaced fixed it. Paid my $200 deductible.

 

[Trash Panda]

Well I just joined the list of people who had the timing cover leak. The week before my montana elk hunt my 2020 started puking oil from the timing cover. My warranty expired in April of this year, since April I have poured over $7,000 into a 5 year old truck. DPF sensor went out, stuck front brake caliper cost me a $1,000 brake job now $5k plus to do the timing cover leak. I guess next week my truck eats the heater grid bolt or something. I have been driving Ram/Dodge trucks for 20 plus years but this might be my last one. We also have a hybrid pacifica that has been nothing but trouble since we bought it a few years ago. Luckily I also have a 2018 Ram 3500 with the 6.4 that I was able to hunt with. Besides the CP4 issue do GM and Ford truck have so many known major issues?

Every brand has issues.
Every brand has good trucks.
Every brand has lemons.

Me personally, I’ve been around enough 6.7 powerstrokes with cooked pistons due to broken oil squirters, that I’ll never consider one. Some guys swear by them.

YMMV.