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Oil leakage

Yahoo Message Number: 64594
I have a question of possible excessive oil coming out of the engine breather tube. After my last trip of 1600 miles I found a small puddle of oil dripping from the flap area. Upon investigation I found the area to the rear of the tube wet from oil. I eliminated the oil pan gasket as a possible source.
My questions are:

How much oil would be considered exceeive? Do I have a problem?

If so, would a bad PCP valve be the source? Does anyone have any thoughts on the matter.

Fritz 98 Allure 30223

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64595
Knowing the engine and milage on it would be a big help in a answer. OIl out the breather tube is normal. As for the pubble, share more information, please.

Leonard 97' Magna

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64597

Lenard:

It is a Cum 325 Mech with 70k miles. The oil puddle was about 3 inches in dia.
Fritz
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Re: Oil leakage

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64598
70K miles is not enough for normal engine wear to be the problem. Soooo... Need to look for something else. Are you due for an oil change? Are you using a good diesel rated oil? Was the oil good and black? In other words, we are sure it is engine oil. The 3" puddle is a little much. Think I would clean everything up and keep and eye on it to be very sure where the oil is coming from. Is the engine using oil? This is the key question. If no oil use, then this could be just a normal thing that has collected over time, could be. The flap you mention, is the the one at the wheel or the very back one? Cummins are know for black breather tubes. My International DD series 40 is as well. but should not have a puddle. Is it possible to be from something from the road. Think I would check all oil levels. Hydraulic system, transmission. Did you have an exceptional hard, hot pull? Anything change lately on the engine? Is the oil filter leaking? Is there a leak above on the engine, like around the turbo area and its oil tubes, inspect the valve cover as well. My oil filter was some what black and covered with oil fumes from the breather tube, normal. Wonder if it is possible for the oil to collect in the breather tube assembly and dump at once.

All brain storming things here.

Give a good inspection, then clean it up and watch it carefully before getting to worried, would be my game plan.

Leonard

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64600

Leonard

This might be a repeat! It is a Cum 325 mech. with 70K miles. The oil puddle was 3 inches in diameter. Fritz

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64601

The oil was good and black. I use Shell Rotella T oil. I have 5000 miles on this change.I mormally change at 7000 miles. The engine does not have a history of oil useage but the level was down 2 quarts after I found the puddle. The tubing and other items directly to the rear of the breather tube was wet with black oil. I tried to eliminate the oil pan gasket by first cleaning the area with a de-greaser than tied a vented plastic bag around the tube. I than took a short trip. There is a now a small quantity of oil in the bag. The flap is not the one behind the tires.I guess I will just have to monitor the situation and see what develops Thank you for your reply
Fritz

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64602
Why don't you call Cummins and see if there is any service on the breather tube. Long ago some had a filter in the tube that needed changed. Have no ideal if that is the case but would check. Sounds like you may have developed an oil leak somewhere. Maybe clean off the whole area, then start and run at high idle and watch where the oil is coming from. Next would be short test drives with inspections. The 2 quarts down is not a good sign. If the turbo is above this area, that would be my #1 inspection point. Both the pressure and return line gaskets and seals. Might try putting a wrench on oil pan bolts, etc. and check for tightness. Oil rings can become hard and brittle and start leaking, you have enough years this could be a cause. Good luck hunting. Something has changed, it seems. Be a very good ideal to find out what. Valve cover is another very good candidate for new leaks. Once it is clean, you may find the leak easy as the black oil is messy. Another good inspection area is the air compressor. Make sure it is good and tight. Oil lube on injection pump, another inspection point. Transfer pump seals? Biggest job is to get it clean. An air nozzle with spray attachment and cleaning solvent may be cheaper then the cans of degreaser, if you have a large area. I would want it found and fixed before a road trip. It just started and will get worse. Not worth running low on oil and engine damage.

Leonard

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64627
It is possible the oil level was overfilled. Had any oil been added recently?

Dean

95 Magna 5280

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64639
Fritz, I work for Cummins in Coburg, OR. We just had a customer in here that insisted he had crankcase breather pumping excessive oil. It turned out to be a leak at the oil pan gasket. A small oil leak can sometimes appear much bigger once the air turbulence in your engine compartment blows it around. I would recomend bringing it to a Cummins shop. They will troubleshoot this by first cleaning the engine. Putting flouescent dye in the oil. They will then run the engine and hit it with a black light. This will show excatly where the oil is coming from. If no leak is detected, you may well have an issue with high crankcase pressure. Next step, check crankcase pressure. It is normal to have a small amount of oil dripping from the breather tube. We do sell a product from Fleetguard called enviroguard. This product will capture the oil in a filter and return it to the crankcase. It will allow the engine to be drip free. Hope this helps.

Rick

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64646
Around the 1999 to 2000 time frame, many CC owners complained of oil blowing onto their toad vehicles, I saw a couple in 2000 who had this problem, if I remember correctly the blow by tube was made longer which eliminated the problem. There was a kit which Cummins provided, I never had the problem on my rig but Cummins installed the kit on my rig when I took it in for other service. I had not had a problem with mine but the tech told me that it was a factory directed fix to a wide spread problem. Maybe you are having the same issue and possibly it only happens if one overfills the crankcase. Just some food for thought but a Cummins shop should be able to clear this one up for you.

Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64686
On My Cat Engines if I saw Oil under the breather tube, I went to our tool room and checked out a the crankcase blowby computer then see if the engine has excessove blowby. An engine with low miles sends a flag! There is a chart for excessive blowby and if this is the issue, I then would do an oil sample and remove valve cover and check out the overhead Valves and Injector's, Also steam off entire engine run and check for any leaking oil. In Florida when humid and cool sometimes you get condensate or some steam out of the tube then as engine warms up under load it should go away. Keep us posted on findings. Ken Retired Cat Power Systems Tech. 99 Allure 30356 BTW Great tips for you fellow owners! Thanks for sharing.

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64689

Thanks to all who responded to my oil problem. I will do some more trouble shooting as suggested. If I can not find anything I will take the coach into a shop Fritz 98 Allure 30223

Re: Oil leakage

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64691
Hi Fellow Tech. Im a retired Cat Power Syatems Tech. Worked for Cat Dealers in Mimai and Tampa. I have the C-8.3 330 in our 99 Allure. I help the group with engine tips like you. Since I have you on the same page I do all the mtn. on our 330. Just before I retired Me and a truck shop co worker at one time worked for Cummins Tampa we checked our overhead Valves etc. The coach only had 55 k miles on it. I have never had the ECM Put on the laptop for codes etc. My Question is Should I and is it safe to raise the HP to 350 or 370? The Allison MD3060 is rated for 1200 f/p torque. Im in Yuma Az. and we have Yuma Diesel here and have bought a new lift pump and T stat from them. Your thoughts Please! Ken 99 Allure 30356 BTW I like the Dye to the Oil thought! Our engines have the same firing order but the Valve bridges are looser then Cats. Worried my coworker.