Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Topic: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak (Read 886 times) previous topic - next topic

Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

September 05, 2016, 04:57:15 pm

I pulled over at a rest stop and decided to open up the engine hatch to give it a once over. Immediately I noticed a liquid covering nearly everything on the passenger side of the engine. Due to the dark color of it, seems to be engine oil rather than hydraulic (definitely not fuel either).

Since the oil is covering everything I cannot figure out where it is coming from. Doesn't appear to be from the slobber tube. Are there any oil hoses on the passenger side of the engine?

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #1 – September 05, 2016, 05:00:53 pm

How much are you down on the dip stick?

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #2 – September 05, 2016, 05:02:43 pm

It isn't registering any oil level on the dipstick. You thinking it might be coming from the dipstick tube connection? There is oil everywhere, including all over the ground on the passenger side.

Edit: added photos

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #3 – September 05, 2016, 05:11:30 pm

If you are not registering oil its way low.If your sure its passenger side try checking where the lift pump attaches to engine,
could have come loose.Slobber tube is on that side also.Valve cover may be leaking.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #4 – September 05, 2016, 05:18:41 pm

No, was just wondering if you had enough oil to drive - do you have oil pressure when you start? Can you get oil to add? Is oil cap on and tight? Mine made a mess when I left it off by mistake.

Start engine from rear and see if it is pumping. If not spraying all over, due the ams with bed cover up and look for source.

If not obvious, engine compartment may have to be cleaned to find source.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #5 – September 05, 2016, 05:32:48 pm

Gunk motor. Rinse, short drive

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #6 – September 05, 2016, 05:33:28 pm

I had been planning to do an oil change at the last place I was at but never got around to it. Thankfully I bought all the oil to do it and have all of it with me.

I'm going to throw some oil in her and find the next Walmart to get some brake cleaner to get a better look at things.

Thanks for the call John.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #7 – September 05, 2016, 05:36:40 pm

robert
i had the same problem years ago, oil over everything. the tube holding
the dip stick had come off the engine. it is pressed into the block. i put a
bolt in the hole, added some oil and carried on to my destination.
i ordered a new tube from cummins and all was good. i believe a 3/8 bolt
fit the hole. it doesn't take much oil to make a mess.
could be the same problem.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #8 – September 05, 2016, 05:38:15 pm

Quote from: rsihnhold – September 05, 2016, 05:33:28 pm

I had been planning to do an oil change at the last place I was at but never got around to it. Thankfully I bought all the oil to do it and have all of it with me.

I'm going to throw some oil in her and find the next Walmart to get some brake cleaner to get a better look at things.

Thanks for the call John.

Brake cleaner sometimes will take the paint off, get a degreaser. Coin op carwash to rinse if you can find one.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #9 – September 05, 2016, 05:48:40 pm

If the coin op car wash has hot water in the wash cycle then use it and forget the degreaser, then rinse as C-man said.

Tough to find one with hot water these days.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #10 – September 05, 2016, 05:56:43 pm

Quote from: craneman – September 05, 2016, 05:38:15 pm

Brake cleaner sometimes will take the paint off, get a degreaser. Coin op carwash to rinse if you can find one.

Original gunk is kerosene and rinses in hose water completely

Auto parts stores should have it.

Did every used and new coaches engine and gen personnally I sold as a Foretravel sales manager.

ORED's turned out fantastic as Oshkosh double coat black polyurethane painted the entire drivetrain.

Then installed the yellow cat engine.

Every boy wanted one of the coaches once I lifted the bed up after five cans of gunk and a deionized water high pressure spray off.

Just so they could show THEIR buddies their engine compartment.

That and the silver coated barium lead foam compartment insulation.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #11 – September 05, 2016, 07:16:05 pm

Problem temporarily solved.

The bolt/cap for checking injection pump timing on the P7100 pump must have wriggled itself loose and was allowing it to spew oil everywhere. Didn't do a lot at idle but once it got into the higher RPMs, it flowed a lot of oil. I happened to have a SAE fitting on me and with some pipe dope and pipe thread tape, it was able to seal up the metric fitting well enough that it will work until I get to my destination and can buy the correct part.

Thanks everyone.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #12 – September 05, 2016, 09:11:28 pm

Don't let any pipe dope get in the injection pump!

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #13 – September 05, 2016, 11:28:22 pm

Brake cleaner is way too harsh for most things.
We are now using Extreme Simple Green aircraft degreaser, as it will not harm aluminum. Regular degreasers usually can damage aluminum. We had to buy on internet, probably from Amazon, not this link.
1 Gallon Extreme Simple Green - Lehigh Valley Abrasives

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #14 – September 05, 2016, 11:31:53 pm

Robert, when you get time, can you show us where this bolt/cap is? Glad you found it and had new oil.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #15 – September 06, 2016, 12:31:19 pm

Stuff in the purple jug is exceptional. pc

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #16 – September 06, 2016, 04:40:28 pm

Just found the Simple green aviation 1 gal. on Amazon prime for $19.16.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #17 – September 07, 2016, 10:34:28 pm

Barry-
I'm unable to get a picture of it right now as I'm working long hours and it is dark by the time I get home but the screw/cap is nearly right below the fuel shutoff solenoid, on the injection pump.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #18 – September 07, 2016, 11:03:59 pm

Another good product is Krud Kutter found at most all big box stores. Don't know the effects on aluminum thou.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #19 – September 08, 2016, 05:30:32 pm

Robert, thanks for pointing me to the problematic screw/cap. No need for my photo. I took a look with a flashlight and see the side of the injector pump.

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #20 – September 08, 2016, 08:04:17 pm

I could still use a photo when you get a chance please

Re: Cummins C8.3 Oil Leak

Reply #21 – September 08, 2016, 09:34:03 pm

I think this is the plug he lost. red tag reads locked for timing It's used to lock pump for timing it to the engine.

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