Hello mechanics, I am not sure if I can handle this job although I have self taught all my repairs thus far(with internet and youtube.) I have already replaced the front crank seal and the timing cover gasket with RTV because there was not any gasket for sale for it anywhere. So with the oil leak still dripping away I figured why not power wash the front of the engine? So I bought a $700 power washer instead of paying a $700 mechanic... and discovered the oil originated behind what appears to be an aluminum part- in fact, the same part that mates with the timing cover. My first concern is, what if the oil is coming out because of an internal engine condition where there is too much pressure behind that cover? Also, the gasket doesn't go all the way around- it came with the front crank seal kit and I don't see how it could seal because it has a good four inches or more opening that is not covered by gasket material. But anyway, my research has revealed this to be a somewhat invasive job. The Dodge dealer bills 12 hours and my other mechanic estimates 19 hours. Tappets, wooden dowels, etc... I don't know what these look like, how to protect them, how to remove and reinstall a camshaft, what a camshaft actually does, or anything relating to this job other than turning bolts and applying seals.

Is there anybody experienced enough to advise me before I undertake this job?
Thanks in advance.

 

You talking about the timing chain cover? What year, and what engine?

 

Timing gears have a cover and an aluminum housing on the Cummins engine. The cover has its own gasket and the cover mounts to the housing with another gasket between it and the engine, which ends in the front of the oil pan which explains the gap in the gasket..