What are the most common areas of oil leaks in our 617 engines. Please add your comments and any missed areas. (not in any kind of order)
1) Lower Turbo drain Line
2) Air cleaner oil separator improperly connected
3) Oil cooler lines
4) Valve cover gasket and valve cover improperly torqued
5) Oil filter housing to engine block?
6) Front Oil pan gasket?

I replaced my oil cooler lines on my now deceased 300D with the CRP (Continental Rubber Products) aftermarket lines. They started leaking after 35,000 miles. Any one have another brand they prefer. One of my mechanics doesn't like the CRP's and uses the factory hoses. ????? Comments?

Any techniques you want to share to reduce oil leaks?

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

How about the chain tensioner? That can leak too I believe.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

Injection pump mount gasket.

Note: EVERY leak can be fixed by replacing the gasket or properly preparing the mounting surfaces before installing.

Re oil pan socket screws (allen head bolts). My understanding is that if the inside of the bolt gets messed up, you can "drive" a 12pt. socket onto the head and then remove from there. One of my mechanics keeps these bolts around when doing a pan. Not sure of the thread or the head size.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Two Words: Front Seal

In almost a million miles of 616/617 engines, I have only experienced two oil leaks. The first was a rear main seal at 380,000 miles, the second was the oil drain back tube on a non turbo 617 engine. The oil separator is just a bad deal, especially on a worn out engine.

Normally these engines just flat don't leak. At least that has been my experience.

Good luck,

My garage floor might beg to differ with you, Larry.

Can I substitute the word seep for "leak"?

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

flange where the turbo drain tube attaches to the turbo. Did it once myself, and had a pro do it once... Still leaks.

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)