See the picture below.
Its not coming from the oil pan, but rather the bearing seal from the crank pulley (hope thats the correct name for it).
has anyone everreplacedone that can give a DIY'er some advice or is it something that requires more work and should be done by a garage?



[IMG]local://upfiles/80976/D0DC273A32804DD989B77EA8B910B015.jpg[/IMG]

 

That would be the front main seal, either the timing cover or oil pan part of it. To replace it, you will have to drop the pan, remove the balancer, water pump, and timing cover, fit the new seal, new oil pan gasket, and re assemble everything. It is not the easiest of all jobs, but certanly not the hardest. Depending on the miles, you may also want to put a new timing chain in.

 

Yes, that would make a good time to also put a new water pump in as well and maybe a new fan clutch. (all because of its miles 104K).
This might be something I have the local shop do for me.

thanks for the response.

 

Mine had a leak in that area, so replaced all the gaskets and i also put a timing chain, water pump, and dampener oil seal. it was about a days work. but i pissed around alot too. The key is too clean everything really good to make a good seal

 

you can do it.

you'll need a harmonic balance puller, which can be rented/loaned at autozone or advance.
air gun is nice for removing/installing the balancer bolt
also torque wrench and a 3/8 fuel line tool ($3)
its a sizeable job, and requires removal of a lot of stuff. to me, its the sort of thing you want to plan out, and then when you put it back together, put on new parts. its a perfect time for new water pump, hoses, thermostat, plenum repair, and full tune up. if your rear main is leaking (wet at rear of oil pan/flex plate/bell housing, then you can also replace the rear main. so it turns into the kind of job where you don't know when to quit replacing stuff.

here's some pics https://dodgeforum.com/m_735291/tm.htm
water pump https://dodgeforum.com/m_224411/tm.htm
plenum https://dodgeforum.com/m_249261/tm.htm
timing chain http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/timingchain.php
rear main http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/rearmain.php

 

update.
I have since used Quaker State High Mileage oil, it has an additive to help the rubber seals. I no longer have the leak.

 

Jesus Christ quit scaring the guy it is only a .5hr job and can be done in you driveway. Just remove the balancer, pull the seal out leaving the timing chain cover on the engine, use a socket the size of the metal portion of your seal and install seal in cover, install ballancer and belt.