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Topic: Oil on tow?  (Read 6486 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

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.

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

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.

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.

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #5 –
When this happens to me, I look at the steering box 😀. It's been my nemesis

Re: Oil on tow?

Reply #6 –
Did you find anything?

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..🥵
 

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