I'm doing engine clean up while the radiator and trans. cooler is out and came across a plastic elbow attached to a hose and the middle of the valve cover on the passenger side. If it were on a car, it would be an EGR valve, but I'm not finding that in the archives. Does anyone know what it is? I need to replace the rubber grommet that is leaking oil.
[tweaked title to be more descriptive for future searches - Michelle]
Guessing engine crankcase vent.
What some people call the slobber tube
Try PCV positive crankcase ventilation in your search, not sure if your engine has one
It tuned out to be the road draft ("slobber") tube, after tracing through the oily build up, wires and other hoses. I was surprised that it would come directly out of the valve cover - a little different from my CAT. I'm going to consider installing a recovery system (Racor); I installed one in my last diesel and it really cut down on oil vapors. Now I just have to find the grommet.
Thanks Richard.
Sven, check the archives for containment systems other people have done here
That is for engines with vacuum.
Even diesel engines have a small vacuum created by the air filter system. No free lunch.
I would do NOTHING that restricts the free flow from the crankcase vent hose-- certainly not a PVC valve. Even on the "pre-turbo" side of the intake system, you have less than 1/2 PSI vacuum (14 column inches of water). And, that only under full throttle. Even less with a new air filter.
Sure, fit a catchment jug: old 2 quart juice plastic containers work well-- just cut enough holes so the exit holes you make near the top have a surface area greater than the ID of the hose. Secure the container with the hose 3/4 of the way down into the container.
The oil vapor/water vapor pretty much collect in the bottom of the container. If more than an ounce per 5,000 miles, you need to find the cause. The most common cause is overfilling the crankcase.