fahtb0y

I noticed a few weeks ago that the truck seemed to be smoking. It was the start of the cold front around here so I kept passing it off as tailpipe fumes from the car in front of me. The other day I looked underneath with it running and there were oil fumes coming out the hose that sticks off the timing gear case cover. It hasn't done it before. Some one mentioned that it might be a head gasket but I'm hoping for a second opinion on a simpler solution.

glenn-k

Maybe just wear as it ages. We used to run the log trucks until something more positive happened.

If you haven't changed your oil for a while you might try that and see if it improves.

I ran my Hino diesel for about 5 years defore I finally pulled a piston on a grade and had to overhaul it. It was running semi-good the whole time but lots of excessive blowby. We found 3 scored pistons.

dieselcamp

If it is blow by due to wear it will also have low power. If it is due to a head gasket it should pressure up the cooling system. Have an oil sample taken and get it analized and that would be a cheap way of checking. Wear will indicate high chrome from the rings and iron from the cylinder walls. High potasium and sodium will be from coolant.

JARHEAD

I have my crankcase vent routed up and over the engine and then down the back of the motor and hangs down below the back of the motor. I can see the fumes (vapor) coming out of mine also. But when i put my thumb over the hole, there is actually no pressure behind it. THere are tests you can have done to see if it is excessive or not. My truck runs great, pulls hard, and gets great mileage and i have forgotten about the blowbye. Some trucks have it more than others and in my experience,most of the time it is all fine. If it was coming out in puffs, there might be more of a problem.

Andy505

That sounds normal to me, I've had 4 CTD and all of them had a small about like you described coming out.

I dont worry about it, as long as I get good mileage, good power, no leaks and no oil in the coolant/coolant in the oil and no funny noises coming from the engine I'm satisfied with how it runs.

fahtb0y

that really does put me at ease. I'll go for that oil test just in case though. Any oil change shop should do it right?! Thanks for yall's help.

nickg

No oil change shops around here do that that I know of, larger truck (semi) Shops usually have something in place. try a Freightliner, Finning, Cummins or the like, usually cost around 20$ (at least thats what Finning charges)