2018 Ram Eco Diesel massive oil loss on highway

[FRavencroft]

Hello, I've been trying to research my recent issue with my 2018 Ram Eco Diesel.
I was pulling my camp trailer to the dealership for pre winter storage maintenance and on the highway at 55 mph pulling a grade the engine started sounding like the exhaust manifold had blown out a gasket.
Engine then went into power loss then limp mode to low oil pressure shut down........in the middle of the slow lane on the highway mind you.......
I could smell oil and got out and looked under the truck and there's a huge puddle of oil and a trail of oil for several feet on the road behind us, oil appears to have literally poured out from behind the engine block between the block and transmission.
My Ram only has 70k miles on it, all services done usually just before the oil life meter hits zero.
I have no oil leak signs in my driveway and neither the dealership or the shop that I've had the oil changes done at have said anything about noticing an oil leak.
I have been researching and have found this is a disturbingly common issue, but I have not come across any forums that has pinpointed the exact cause.
Although I've had the EGR recall done already, I was thinking it had to do with the EGR recall since part of that recall they had to replace the oil lines that were found to be to close to the turbo and was causing high pressure oil line failure that would cause engine fires.
My friends dad had to have his oil lines replaced for this reason yet I can't find anything specifically about oil line replacement or recall of any kind for them.
My truck has had all the recalls done, the last one being the high pressure fuel pump just over a month ago.
Truck is currently at the shop that has been doing the oil changes right down the road from my house, but they haven't had time to look at it.
I'm thinking this will be a diesel shop or dealership issue.
Anyone have some input as to what happened to my Ram?
Only thing I can think of is high pressure oil line failed or as I've read on some forums engine bearings failed due to sudden loss of oil pressure and it possibly threw a rod or bearing through the engine block.
I'm just not understanding the sudden oil pressure loss aspect, we just had the oil and filter changed a month ago.
Anyone???
If this video from youtube will load this is exactly what happened to my truck on the highway.

 

[BTdriver]

Based on what the video shows, that looks like it could be tone ring failure (mounted between crank and flex plate) that damaged the sensor, which ended up "taking out" part of the aluminum pan up by the rear main bearing/seal.

 

[FRavencroft]

Based on what the video shows, that looks like it could be tone ring failure (mounted between crank and flex plate) that damaged the sensor, which ended up "taking out" part of the aluminum pan up by the rear main bearing/seal.

I wasn't aware that massive oil loss was associated with that particular issue, but I had that recall completed a few months ago if its the recall that had to do a software update on.

 

[BTdriver]

FRavencroft: The software update came about from the common tone ring failures. Massive oil loss isn't necessarily associated with tone ring failure; It is, however located right there by the rear main so it's possible.
Another possibility for your situation could be related to the turbo oil line that comes off the back of the block and goes over the turbo coolant line on the turbo itself.

 

[1shadowsabre]

Pull your oil filter and look for any metal shavings

 

[FRavencroft]

I'm being told by the shop that has my truck now that they used a bore scope to look down behind the engine and it appears the oil is actually coming out of the oil lines or the return line from the turbo, not the rear main seal area.
I'm being told from a friend that those oil lines near the turbo were supposed to be replaced as part of the EGR cooler recall.
Can anyone confirm that is the case with the oil lines being apart of that recall?
I'm seriously concerned that the dealer may not have replaced those at the time they did the EGR recall on my truck or that if they did and those lines still failed and everyone that had the recall done should be concerned.

 

[1shadowsabre]

I'm being told by the shop that has my truck now that they used a bore scope to look down behind the engine and it appears the oil is actually coming out of the oil lines or the return line from the turbo, not the rear main seal area.
I'm being told from a friend that those oil lines near the turbo were supposed to be replaced as part of the EGR cooler recall.
Can anyone confirm that is the case with the oil lines being apart of that recall?
I'm seriously concerned that the dealer may not have replaced those at the time they did the EGR recall on my truck or that if they did and those lines still failed and everyone that had the recall done should be concerned.

I have had every recall completed in my 2015 and been participating on Eco Diesel forums since my truck was new. I have NEVER heard of any oil lines getting replaced. I think your friend is wrong.

 

[FRavencroft]

Just want to drop an update on my 2018 Ram Eco Diesel with 71,000 miles.
Dealer called this morning, although they haven't looked into where all my oil came from that ended up on the road they did tell me the engine is wasted.
The first thing they did was pull the oil pan and there was metal shavings all over in what was left of the engine oil.
I know the oil was running down from the back of the engine block, it appeared to be coming from the area of the turbo.
Once I get that update I'll post it.
I've seen there have been others that have had this exact issue but I never saw any updates on them.
Once I know, I will share.
Right now my Mopar warranty approved the work and the dealer put in the order for the new engine, but they said those engines are on backorder, they also said they ordered the newest version of the Eco Diesel which I think is the gen 3 but not positive.

 

[1shadowsabre]

So sorry to hear that, it sounds like you are getting a new engine though. I hope they get one quickly and are able to get you back on the road with a great engine and quality workmanship!

 

[SeanPwnery]

You almost never hear of these problems in Europe or with fully deleted engines. I've done a stage 1 tune which turns off my EGR but keeps the DEF injector going. I've got a new intake in a box with the swirl valves removed but the actuator motor still there to plug in and keep the ECU happy. I'll be changing a turbo coolant line while the intake is off. These poor engines get such a bad rep with all the gas-engine emissions garbage force-fed onto them by the EPA. If you're getting a new engine out of the deal - consider a full delete immediately after you pick it up. Everything that crams exhaust soot back down the engine's throat is a deliberate undermining of the reliability of these mills. The oiling systems of these engines are the achielles heel of them. I'm planning on an insane diesel secondary filtering system to get it down to 1-micron. These engines CAN be reliable if you keep them clean.

Mine is a 2nd gen Pasta-diesel, with 116k on the clock. I got this truck with 106 on it. So far, it's been a gem - though the best I can get out of it is 15mpg city. All I have is an SFT stage 1 tune, a clone of a Banks pedal-monster, and I run Rotella T6 15w40, and change the oil religiously at 5k intervals. I also run Howes Meaner-Kleaner every fill up, about 4 oz. per tank. I read the horror stories on this forum and wonder how many failures are "new to diesel maintenance" owners, but I too am slightly in the same boat as them, while desperately trying to do my due-diligence to stay ahead of a failure. Hope you have a positive experience in replacement of that engine.

 

[FRavencroft]

Well it turns out my engine failure was in fact the rear main seal. It only took the dealership a month to get the new engine in and installed in my truck.
The fact that the Mopar extended warranty didn't even request service papers so they know this is a normal failure and they warrantied the engine with literally no questions. I am truly surprised no one has filed a suit as of yet because when this failure happens people are driving in traffic and could cause serious accidents.
So I have my truck back and running I'm hoping the new engine lasts, the service rep told me the new engines are supposed to be redesigned and engineered for those older failures, whether true or not I have no idea but I'm thinking about a Cummings 2500 now.

 

[ultimateamc]

Just want to drop an update on my 2018 Ram Eco Diesel with 71,000 miles.
Dealer called this morning, although they haven't looked into where all my oil came from that ended up on the road they did tell me the engine is wasted.
The first thing they did was pull the oil pan and there was metal shavings all over in what was left of the engine oil.
I know the oil was running down from the back of the engine block, it appeared to be coming from the area of the turbo.
Once I get that update I'll post it.
I've seen there have been others that have had this exact issue but I never saw any updates on them.
Once I know, I will share.
Right now my Mopar warranty approved the work and the dealer put in the order for the new engine, but they said those engines are on backorder, they also said they ordered the newest version of the Eco Diesel which I think is the gen 3 but not positive.

replacements are not "gen3", latest version would be latest updates to "gen2" 14-18 MY service engines now being built. part numbers will change either with last 2 letters or complete part number change. Some MOPAR service engines are now long blocks not completely dressed assembly line ready units as what would show up for production line use. The dressed engines would have EGR, Turbo, Exhaust plumbing, wire harness for engine, all sensors, oil pans pickup tubes, intakes, sensors, oil cooler assembly etc. Again these (DRESSED) engines were ready for assembly line insertion. long blocks are just that, longblocks. All the bolt on stuff, such as intakes, fuel pumps, high pressure fuel lines, turbos, EGR, coolant plumbing including the dreaded little rubber hose would be pulled off old motor coming out of vehicle and reused. Shortblocks would be long block minus the heads valve train, timing components ect. The term "Shortblock" would be just the lower rotating assembly.

 

[sleepy2mary]

How did you get a new engine so fast? I've been told on backorder and the dealership won't touch my son's truck. It was in the shop for 8 months trying to get parts. After replacing heads, head gaskets twice and bolts, they discovered the cam d floating, or so they said, was bad. On driving it to the shop the engine blew.

 

[ultimateamc]

I went to dealer about 2 weeks ago and them replacements were in the parts depots in stock. not sure what your dealers parts guy is doing, (sounds like nothing) but they need to stay up on the inventory in the depots and push it thru. Sound like they don't have a technician that wants to tackle the job. pretty extensive and time consuming. but that isn't an excuse for them to leave you hanging. the Engines are on and off being available by the day.

 

[ultimateamc]

You almost never hear of these problems in Europe or with fully deleted engines. I've done a stage 1 tune which turns off my EGR but keeps the DEF injector going. I've got a new intake in a box with the swirl valves removed but the actuator motor still there to plug in and keep the ECU happy. I'll be changing a turbo coolant line while the intake is off. These poor engines get such a bad rep with all the gas-engine emissions garbage force-fed onto them by the EPA. If you're getting a new engine out of the deal - consider a full delete immediately after you pick it up. Everything that crams exhaust soot back down the engine's throat is a deliberate undermining of the reliability of these mills. The oiling systems of these engines are the achielles heel of them. I'm planning on an insane diesel secondary filtering system to get it down to 1-micron. These engines CAN be reliable if you keep them clean.

Mine is a 2nd gen Pasta-diesel, with 116k on the clock. I got this truck with 106 on it. So far, it's been a gem - though the best I can get out of it is 15mpg city. All I have is an SFT stage 1 tune, a clone of a Banks pedal-monster, and I run Rotella T6 15w40, and change the oil religiously at 5k intervals. I also run Howes Meaner-Kleaner every fill up, about 4 oz. per tank. I read the horror stories on this forum and wonder how many failures are "new to diesel maintenance" owners, but I too am slightly in the same boat as them, while desperately trying to do my due-diligence to stay ahead of a failure. Hope you have a positive experience in replacement of that engine.

15 MPG? i got that pulling a 2500 duramax on my 20 foot multideck tilt bed trailer from Wyoming running 70+ mph with my bone stock 18 ecodiesel

 

[SeanPwnery]

15 MPG? i got that pulling a 2500 duramax on my 20 foot multideck tilt bed trailer from Wyoming running 70+ mph with my bone stock 18 ecodiesel

14.4 so far this winter ... scary I know. After I finish the rest of the delete and upload the stage 2 tune, and put in a new intake manifold without the swirl valves or throttle body butterfly, I'm hoping that'll change for the better.