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Topic: Oil on tow?  (Read 425 times) previous topic - next topic

Oil on tow?

Lately there has been more oil spots on my tow vehicle than in the past. Since we've owned the coach, a year or so, it's always left a few drops at the site we were parked at or in storage. Leak has always appeared to be up near the air pump area. Hard to pinpoint exact area, but has really not been anything to worry to much about.
 The last couple weeks, when I stop and check engine area, the oil dipstick has popped out about 6 inches. Some I think the increase in oil spots on tow , is related to this. Could tell some oil was being released from dipstick. Is the dipstick popping out the sign of a worsening problem, or do I just need a new dipstick or seal? It does not fit in snugly. Currently being held in with a tie to keep it in while operating.... 1999 U295... 8.3 Cummins 90k miles
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #1 –
Check the amount of blow-by from the crankcase breather (with dip stick tube sealed).

Is engine oil level high?

Very likely you just need a new gasket/seal on the dip stick.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #2 –
To add to what Brett posted.
If your coach has been setting for a while check to see if a dirt/mud dauber has set up a nest in the breather tube. It is amazing how fast those little devils can work.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #3 –
On your valve cover top where the oil breather tube connects to the valve cover,there is a screen that may need cleaning,you have
to remove the valve cover to access,make sure the screen and tube are clean.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: John44 –
On your valve cover top where the oil breather tube connects to the valve cover,there is a screen that may need cleaning,you have
to remove the valve cover to access,make sure the screen and tube are clean.


Easy if you are under the coach.  Stick a cheap, short length of hose into the crankcase breather and blow into it.  Should be able to tell quickly if any restriction.  The short length of hose is so you don't have to put your mouth on the crankcase breather hose-- YUCK.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #5 –
When this happens to me, I look at the steering box 😀. It's been my nemesis
Michael & Ginny
Frankfort, KY
1992 U240 GV Build #4116
2007 Mini Cooper

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #6 –
Did you find anything?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #7 –
Jack, haven't made it back over to storage to mess with it yet. It's 120 in my storage..🥵
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "
 

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #8 –
I have had the oil by-pass problem occur several times in the last 10 years.  I have done two things that seem to help:

1.  I first extended the breather tube into a tin can I attached to the lower frame with some hose clamps.  You want to make sure the hose is high enough in the can that it does not get blocked but does catch the drips.  This keeps the oil from blowing around as it drips off the tube and making a mess.

2.  I also found out that if I only fill the oil to halfway between the full and add lines (it's 4 qts between them), it significantly reduces the problem. 

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15