The cause of external oil leaks is hard to diagnose and correct because of the potential number of factors involved. Although the location of a leak can sometimes seem obvious, it can also be difficult to isolate the exact location due to fan blast and road grime that can cause the leaking oil to migrate.
Before any repairs are begun, it is important to locate the exact root cause of the leak to prevent misdiagnosis and further downtime.
It will be necessary to start out by steam cleaning the engine and then operating it on a dynamometer to look for the leak. Record where the oil looks the most concentrated before the steam clean, as this will give a good indication of where to start looking for leaks.
Mix 295.7 ml [4 oz] of fluorescent tracer dye, Part Number 3376891, for every 37.8 liters [10 gal] of oil into the lubricating oil.
NOTE: Oil with high levels of soot may need to be changed in order to make the fluorescent tracer dye visible. Up to three times the standard amount of tracer dye may be used if necessary. The use of fluorescent tracer dye does not interfere with engine performance and can be left in the engine oil after use.
Operate the engine to normal operating temperature and inspect the exterior of the engine using a black light, Part Number 3163337 or 3163338, for leaking gaskets, seals, o-rings, pipe plugs, or fittings. Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions to use the black light.
NOTE: Before replacing any gaskets, check the capscrews to be sure they are tightened to the correct torque values. Refer to Procedure 018-009 in Section V for the specific component capscrew torque specifications.