drivers side towards the front of truck after the radiator is a small canister with a rubber formed hose. the hose starts from the motor then travels up and then upside down towards this canister. the hose enters canister from top portion. at this time, the canister is covered with some sort of liquid with dirt stuck onto it.

the whole underside of truck is wet and caked with road dirt and sorts.

what is this and does it require maintainence?

HELP

 

Sounds like the "Pill Bottle" (catch container) from the crankcase breather.

remove and toss, or remove, dump, clean off and put back.

Mine's MIA.

 

That's the engine blow-by cannister. It gets full or plugged and causes a mess. Most people re-route the hose to below the front axle or reposition the bottle. Whichever you do, be sure the hose or bottle has down hill travel from the engine. You can do a search and find lots of info.

Also, you will need to clean the fan blades and the back of the radiator if it's that bad.

 

okay...
i recall other members with an extension of this tube up and around the top and then back towards the ground.

is it necessary to retain that bottle at end? or just extend it with no cap or?

thanks

 

Just leave the end open and let 'er rip.

Be VERY sure there are no down-hill, up-hill, down-hill runs in the extended hose run.
It will act like a plumber's P-Trap and allow moisture to be trapped which will freeze preventing the expanded gasses from leaving the crankcase resulting in blown engine seals.

 

See the link in my sig for breather bottle re-location.