I took a look at a 2007 ram 2500hd 5.7l 4x4 today. It has a substantial engine oil leak but I am not quite sure as to Exactly where the oil is leaking from. It looks to me like the whole oil pan front to back is wet with oil and also wet with oil all the way to the back of the transmission pan.
The oil has been leaking down onto the front axle and steering components too.

I am attaching pictures. ***Please give me your best guess on where you think the oil is initially leaking from? (just from the pictures, my guess is the oil pan Gasket).
Thank You

 

All guesses or opinions are greatly appreciated

 

Good chance that's a rear main seal leak.... I *think* you need to drop the pan to change it anyway.... Unfortunately, gotta pull the trans as well. Think I would fix that first, clean everything up, and see what else you get. Good possibility of a bad pinion seal there too.

 

It must not be Just a rear main seal then, otherwise how would oil be getting all the way up to the front of the oil pan and down on the steering arms?
(I am a bit hesitant on buying this truck now)

 

The only way I would buy that truck, is if I needed a project and could buy it really cheap, fix it and then flip it to make a few bucks.

It will take a lot of labor for the repairs. Pull the transmission as mentioned earlier.
Might be possible the front seal is leaking also .... I would want to change it while fixing the rear .... or closely examine it to see if it looks to be leaking .... would explain the oil in the front.

While I'm not familiar with all the issues of this particular engine .... I would have to ask myself why it is leaking oil so badly .... Has the PCV system failed? what work has been done to it in the past?

The leaking pinion seal is located here.


It is possible it is the front seal leaking getting the front wet, then the wind while driving carries the oil to the rear and onto the transmission .... combined with the pinion seal leaking in the axle .... oil is everywhere.

So if buying from a dealer, I would make them fix the leaks first and warranty the work before buying.
If buying from a private party, I would want it a couple thousand $$ below value .... just to take care of all the labor it will take to fix it.
Then how many miles is on the engine now? Is it worth spending all the time to fix it? .... Can you afford to buy it and just park it while you spend time to fix it .... or do you need it for a daily driver now?

If that axle has been driven too far without adequate oil, it may need to be rebuilt or replaced. .... Too me, these repairs need to be done now. Before driving it and making the repair cost sky rocket.
While it is nice and fresh oil on the axle now .... is it a trade in and the dealer topped off all the fluids? How long did it leak when the previous owner had it?

 

With both of your feedback I have decided to pass on this truck.

Thank You Guys for the help!!