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Topic: Oil Film in engine compartment! (Read 889 times) previous topic - next topic

Oil Film in engine compartment!

I noticed when we got to our last RV park, there was a light film of oil toward the front of the engine compartment.  Wiped it down and started searching for the culprit.  Did not see anything at first but then right behind some lines, I noticed that on top of the red head cover, one of the caps is missing.  As you look at the top of the cover, you will see 2 places that are round and stick up about an inch or so.  The one toward the front of the coach is got a cover sealing the raised area, but on the back one toward the rear of the coach, it is missing a seal or cap. 
Any ideas on a temporary repair until we get to a Cummins dealer to purchase what ever fits in that hole?  I can take a photo is need be, just terrible service here with Verizon.  Oh, we have the M11 450 Cummins engine.  The big red head!
Leaving in morning for NY.  Thanks in advance!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #1 –
Why not stop at a truck stop or NAPA store and have someone come out and take a quick look? Might be a breather cap that came off. Light film of oil will likely get worse on any kind of drive and only harder to clean up afterwards.

Is this your valve cover? CUMMINS M11 VALVE COVER for sale

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #2 –
That's it Pierce!  Thank you for posting that.  Yes, the one cap is missing.  What I have done temporary since I posted this is lay a rubber glove over the hole and zip tied it on.  Not sure how this will hold up, but should help!  I will look for one of those places tomorrow since today is Sunday and I have not seen a NAPA dealer around this area. 
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #3 –
Quite welcome! They do make expanding rubber stoppers that you push into a hole a little and then tighten the nut. Might do the trick until you get a replacement. This will give you an idea of what I mean: expanding rubber plug - Google Search

Good luck,

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #4 –
I'm still wondering how this came off or why?  It looks like it is one piece like the other one.  It almost looked like you could add oil to engine through this area.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #5 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
I'm still wondering how this came off or why?  It looks like it is one piece like the other one.  It almost looked like you could add oil to engine through this area.
The two caps are probably used when the M11 is used in different applications/vehicles. One application might have something above it so the other is used. No idea how they are held on as I don't have a clue. Does it look as if it has threads, or a way for the cap to be held on? Possibly just a press fit.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #6 –
I would go with the expanding rubber plug instead of the rubber glove.  Just measure the hole size to get the correct plug.  You can go to any hardware or home and lumber center to get a plug.

John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #7 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
It almost looked like you could add oil to engine through this area.

You can. 
Here is what was OEM in that hole.
It was a screw expanding plug that either vibrated or was left loose and popped out.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
You can. 
Here is what was OEM in that hole.
It was a screw expanding plug that either vibrated or was left loose and popped out.

Mike

Before we left this morning, I drove over to Lowe's and purchased an expansion plug, so now, good to go!  Thanks for the photo!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #9 –
Thank you all for your quick responses!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #10 –
Glad you found something that will work.  You for sure don't want something to get down in that "Devil Hole" as the result can be a vacuum effect on the wallet.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #11 –
Joe and Dottie,

Have a safe trip. Nothing in the back of your mind now. Give the big Cummins a pat for me.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #12 –
Here is the fix, but will try to find a NAPA store near where we are now that will have the right kind of stopper, although this should work fine.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Joe and Dottie,

Have a safe trip. Nothing in the back of your mind now. Give the big Cummins a pat for me.

Pierce

Will do Pierce and now onto other problems with compressor!  Just when you think you can relax, the dreaded voice from the wife asking about why it sounds like the compressor is coming on and off!  UGH!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #14 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
Here is the fix, but will try to find a NAPA store near where we are now that will have the right kind of stopper, although this should work fine.

I think your stopper is going to work fine and it looks great too.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Oil Film in engine compartment!

Reply #15 –
Joe,

That ought to work just fine as there isn't that much heat up there.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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