Cummins Diesel QSC 8.3 oil pan leak

[dgeller]

Cummins came out and looked at our boat. We've got a bad oil leak in our port-side engine and it looks like the oil pan will have to be resealed. Ours is a 2014 Sundancer 510 and both engines are at around 610 hours. Still waiting on an estimate from Cummins but I'm curious to know if anyone might have estimates for what the work should cost. I'm told they'll have to jack up the engine and it'll take a day (or more). I'm expecting $$$.

Also - perhaps just as importantly - is this something I should request be done to my starboard engine as well even though it's not exhibiting any leaking?

Thanks for any feedback you can share.

-David

 

[douglee25]

How bad is it? Did they try to tighten the pan bolts to see if the leak stopped?

 

[dgeller]

It's probably leaking about half a quart every ten hours. Maybe a little more. They didn't try to tighten when they did their spot check.

 

[rcknecht]

This seems strange for a three year old boat... Did you contact Sea Ray? Seems like it might be a latent defect... (some did not tighten of the pan bolts properly)...

 

[fwebster]

This is a Cummins problem. All Sea Ray can do is reference you to your local Cummins dealer. This isn't the first Cummins oil pan leak and it isn't that big of a repair job, but the engine does need to be jacked up or lifted to get access underneath the engine.

 

[dgeller]

Three actual years but 600+ hours of engine time. We had the extended warranty too - but it expired in May.

 

[dgeller]

Thanks.

 

[dgeller]

Any sense for what a repair job like this could or should cost?

 

[Thornton69]

8.3's oil pans usually leak in the center. When they are stamped out they do not lay flat. Where is the leak? If it is in the very back then more likely it is a failed O ring on the rear cam plug. The oil will run down between the flywheel housing and rear of block onto the oil pan. It is a common problem on engines that have gotten hot.

 

[dgeller]

Got my estimate back from Cummins - about $2K.

 

[douglee25]

Better than I thought.

 

[Escape22]

yep that sounds good, what did they say about the other engine?

 

[dgeller]

yep that sounds good, what did they say about the other engine?

Other engine is clean.

 

[bahamabreisus]

I hate putting like this, but I purchased a boat of that value and had oil pan leaks that is a known issue, Cummings would be paying for it. I have 20 plus year old Detroits that are known for leaks, I have one engine that might leak a half a quart every 100 hours.