7.3 idi with banks sidewinder leaking oil from intake hat

[Archieb89]

Hi everyone, I just bought my first idi last week. It's got the newer gen sidewinder on it. After it sat in my driveway for about a week I noticed some oil leak coming from what looked to be either the rear main seal and the oil pan as well as maybe the little drain tube between the transmission belhousing and engine. I degreased and washed the whole engine bay and undercarriage today to try to pin point the leaks better. After washing it and letting it dry I took it for a drive and when I got back I looked underneath and saw small oil droplets dripping from that drain tube area as well as some coming down the passenger side of the oil pan and rear main area. I popped the hood and noticed seepage around where the intake hat mounts on the manifold. I had my cousin look at it while I revved it up and put it under a couple lbs of boost and he instantly said he could see oil bubbling out of where the hat seals on the intake. Is it normal for oil to be in there and maybe the intake hat seal is bad? Or could it be a leaky turbo seal or bad cdr valve?

I'm fairly new to these idi's, and ive been searching around this forum for a bit so decided to make an account for stuff like this, so any help is appreciated!

 

[Kdo58]

Check the turbo, see how much play it has.

 

[Archieb89]

Check the turbo, see how much play it has.

Thanks! I'll check it in the morning. Would there be any noticeable sound from it if it was worn? Ive never driven any other turbo idi before but It seems to build boost pretty good and the whole engine sounds very healthy as well as cranks right up even on cold starts.

 

[Kdo58]

If the turbo is worn out, it can use more oil, oil will be dumped into the intake, because the seals will be bad.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Unless your turbo is bad in some way, the leak at the intake hat is probably from a bad seal there. The bolt that holds it to the intake may even be loose. The bubbling probably isn't just oil, it's some boosted air coming out too. It is normal to have some oil in the intake of these engines, turbo or no. Oil coming down the passenger's side of the oil pan may be from up above, but that usually drips onto the starter, by design. Oil on the side of the oil pan says leaky valve cover gasket to me. As for what's coming out of the tube on the inspection cover, check to see if it's oil or transmission fluid. It may be dirty enough inside the cover to make ATF look dark, more like oil. Your transmission fluid could be in dire need of being changed too. That can make ATF look dark.

 

[Archieb89]

Unless your turbo is bad in some way, the leak at the intake hat is probably from a bad seal there. The bolt that holds it to the intake may even be loose. The bubbling probably isn't just oil, it's some boosted air coming out too. It is normal to have some oil in the intake of these engines, turbo or no. Oil coming down the passenger's side of the oil pan may be from up above, but that usually drips onto the starter, by design. Oil on the side of the oil pan says leaky valve cover gasket to me. As for what's coming out of the tube on the inspection cover, check to see if it's oil or transmission fluid. It may be dirty enough inside the cover to make ATF look dark, more like oil. Your transmission fluid could be in dire need of being changed too. That can make ATF look dark.

Thanks for the reply! The previous owner had the transmission rebuilt last year by a reputable shop and the transmission fluid is so clean it's just about clear when I pulled the dipstick on it. I know one of the cooler line is a little leaky but it's not really in that area i don't think but from what I've read that tube is a drain for the engine valley, and the oil from the intake hat is dripping down in there, but I could be wrong. Ive inspected anything leaking from it and it all looks and smells like engine oil. I know for sure the valve cover gaskets need to be done because before I washed it, there was tons of build up under them and on top of the exhaust manifolds but that's a fairly easy fix. I'll try tightening the hat down. Also can I buy an oe seal for the hat or does it have to be specific to that banks kit or an idit?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

You could find an o ring that size. You can use a gasket that goes on top of a Holley(?) four barrel carb. I think that you could even use that gasket that goes on top of the intake on a GM 6.2 diesel. You do have choices.

 

[DirtyWood]

Make sure you have the large o-ring that seas the intake hat to the manifold and that it isn't twisted or improperly seated. When I bought my truck with the Sidewinder I found the o-ring was missing but did not notice a leak. I bought an o-ring and when installing the intake hat part of the o-ring bulged out and I did have a noticeable oil leak. I bought the o-ring direct from Banks.

 

[IDIBOBS]

Also can I buy an oe seal for the hat or does it have to be specific to that banks kit or an idit?

That seal is a standard 4barrel air intake seal. They should run $2 or so I buy 10 at a time just so I can replace them often. If it’s loosing air in that location you’re also loosing boost. I’d also clean your cdr valve as far as the leaks your really the only person that can track them down since non of us are looking at the truck with you.

 

[Archieb89]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm gonna go get a new hat o ring today. I'll inspect the turbo while its off too. I'm not really worried about small pan or main leaks. I'll just keep an eye on the oil level. I was just more concerned that it was coming from the turbo itself. Would carb cleaner be a good way to clean the cdr?

 

[Nero]

Here's the official part, it is thicker than a carb gasket and made of steel lined rubber to make it last a lot longer.

CDD Intake Hat Gasket

With IDI’s running higher and higher boost numbers these days, we found a need for a stronger sealing solution than factory type gaskets can offer. This hat gasket features a rigid stainless steel band and neoprene coating that will resist blowouts and oil leaks.

classicdieseldesigns.com

As for cleaning the CDR, I would reccomend hot soapy water. It has a rubber diapragmn in it that can be damaged from carb cleaner or brake clean. There is a pinhole breather port on the outside flat face of the unit, make sure it isn't plugged as well.

 

[Archieb89]

Here's the official part, it is thicker than a carb gasket and made of steel lined rubber to make it last a lot longer.

CDD Intake Hat Gasket

With IDI’s running higher and higher boost numbers these days, we found a need for a stronger sealing solution than factory type gaskets can offer. This hat gasket features a rigid stainless steel band and neoprene coating that will resist blowouts and oil leaks.

classicdieseldesigns.com

As for cleaning the CDR, I would reccomend hot soapy water. It has a rubber diapragmn in it that can be damaged from carb cleaner or brake clean. There is a pinhole breather port on the outside flat face of the unit, make sure it isn't plugged as well.

Thanks for the link. I just ordered one and im going to an autoparts store to get a temporary replacement till the cdd one comes in. Are there any gaskets on the cdr I may have to replace if I take it off for cleaning? It looks original so I'm just kinda worried if i take it off any seals or grommets it may have will just fall apart.

 

[Nero]

They are currently sold out. I have only ever had one fall apart on me, see if it can be reused.

 

[Archieb89]

So I took the cdr off and cleaned it with soap and water. After I was done I tried blowing through it and it flows freely through both sides so I'm assuming I need a new one.

 

[Rocknit4x4]

I think that’s how it’s supposed to be, I think it only were to close in a “run away” type of situation, with a lot of vacuum on the flat side.