Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and dodge diesels for that matter, but I'm learning fast thanks to cool sites like this. Just bought a 99 Ram2500 4x4 quad cab. Nice truck with a GOOD price ( I hope).

Been smelling oil after driving for awhile. Finally noticed it was coming from a tube in the front of the engine (extends down about 2 feet). Not sure what this is.......maybe a blow-by or something. Not a lot of oil, but drips pretty good after running for a while. The tube is attached to a round part located behind the IP on the front of the motor.

Can someone tell me what this is and why it would have oil coming out. Bottom of truck is pretty well coated with oil so I suppose it may have been leaking for some time. Oil level is still good, but I have only had the truck one week. Thanks

 

This is your external crankcase vent. It's normal.

There another thread on this very topic in this forum-- check it out (installed oil vent relocation kit)

It also tends to gunk up the back of your radiator and cause cooling problems.

 

Here is a fix for that smell and dripping...

 

You may want to check your oil level also, or even run it in the middle of the marks and not to the full mark. It helps with "blow by".

Ditto's on the radiator gunking up problem.

 

Thanks for the info. I checked my oil the other day when I noticed the oil leaking and it was a little over filled. I had the oil changed today, so I'll see if that helps.

The re-routing of the tube looks like a good idea also. I found this kit on EBAY that basically does a similar thing, but vents from the valve cover. Check it out if you like and see what you think.

Thanks again, the info was a big help.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...QQcmdZViewItem

 

hey foamdoc, do the PVC relocation thing. not that thing from ebay. i put it on my truck and i love it and it was only a little under $10 for all the parts to do it. i highly recommend it, just paint it black, it looks way better than that white PVC that guy had in the link pics.

let us know what you decide.

 

I left it nature white so you could see the route of the pipe in the picture. But yes I painted flat black to match the valve cover on the engine.

I'm not fond of the idea of using any rubber hose for venting oil vapors. Being that I don't care what rubber you us it going to turn soft and collapse on you. When it does it going to plug up... But thats me...

This still is a come problem with people extending the existing vent down and towrad the flywheel. Eventually the rubber gets soft and kinks closed. Once it does it will cause the pressure to build in the crankcase and blow seals.

That's why I'm using PVC pipe and reinforced vinyl tubing... Neither product will degrade from oil. But the vinyl could soften at high temp but it was kept short for a reason...

Finished product ready fo install...



Another version of the same thing...By BuckshotMcKee
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/vb...?do=view&g=788

 

ya i did the one from buckshotmckee. i thought he had a better parts list personally. but it's the same product.

 

There was a few mistake in the first version but I told Buckshot about them before he started the build... So his version is corrected from mine... I might just rebuild mine here soon.

 

Just thought I would check in and let you all know that I did the crankcase vent mod you all suggested. Works great and looks good too. No more burning oil smells from the truck. Went to the carwash and did a little power washing of the engine and underside of truck. Got some of that grease, oil and grime off. Now I can at least see if I have any REAL oil leaks I need to attend to. Well off to the next project(s) . Thanks again for the help.