concerning the oil changes, if it was me i would go at least 10,000 miles between changes.... if you put that many miles on in a month,it doesn't have a chance to cool or get dirty

 

Where exactly is this cover located. I've looked and don't see anything. I washed the engine and I believe the leak is in front of the blow by tube right around the motor mount, atleast that's where the oil is gathering?? I drove it around and the leak isn't all that bad now, well not as bad as last friday it's only a small run now. I'm so confused as I don't see how it could leak where I see oil on the motor mount.

 

there is a cover that the blowby tube go's to it is as long as the block and about 3" tall

 

Well I must be blind or stupid, most likely both, and I can't find the tappet cover. Also, my blowby tube comes out the back of the valve cover not the side of the block [Dunno]

I started my truck and let idle while I pulled the oil cap off. Very slight blue smoke, looks like steam but very light came out. How bad is the blowby?

 

Easy way to check for blowby is next time leave the oil fill cap one the valve cover lose with the truck running and see if it dances around like it wants to get blown off the cover, or if its not to hot put your hand over it and see if you can feel presure building/coming from the fill hole.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

Does the CR block have a tappet cover? I thought that went away sometime during the 24 valve era?

 

dont know if this is going to wokk but will give it a shot just above the fuel pump boss is the place that the cover go's

 

Here's a pic from an issue of DPM I read...the tappet cover is the chromed plate, but as I understand it, it actually covers the tappets where they meet the cam...

 

I placed the cap on the fill hole lose and it didn't dance but the motor was cold. Should I try it when it's warm or does it not matter?

 

tappet cover still there

 

I would imagine if it was bad enough to coat the underside of your truck with oil it wouldn't matter if it was cold or warm, but checking when it has warmed up wouldn't hurt. Also, place the cap on the opening upside down...forgot to mention that. Now this is just a crude way of checking it wont tell how bad it is just if its present. You could also pull the dipstick and place your thumb over the end of the tube and see if you can feel anything.

 

I really don't think the common rail engines have a tappet cover anymore. My guess is that the gear housing gasket blew out between the gear housing and the block.
Another rare possibility is that it's coming from the head gasket, as there are oil passages on the driver side.