03 5.9 Smoking from oil fill cap.

[Mindbndr]

My friend has an 03 that is puffing smoke from the oil fill cap and the crank case breather. It idles a little rough but smoothes out immediately after he gives it some gas. It also puffs white smoke in the morning when he first starts it. This sounds serious to me and he depends on this truck for work, can you guys please help.

 

[SRadke]

Does it smell like fuel? Is the oil level getting higher? If both of these are also symptoms then you have a cracked injector.

If neither of those are symptoms then you have blowby which basically means you need a rebuild.

-Scott

 

[Prairie Dog]

Does it really smoke from the filler or is it just oil vapors? Any eng has crankcase vapors when hot and they'll hapily rise out of the filler if it's removed.

 

[Mindbndr]

i cant say that it smells like fuel, but it does stink. It stinks really bad. oil level looks normal. i will keep an eye on it. just as a helpful note, the motor was replaced about 25,000 miles ago under warranty for similar symptoms.

 

[SRadke]

Keep an eye on the oil level. Sounds very suspicious.

 

[Mindbndr]

More like a vapor but has a very noticeable smell and exits the filler like a puff puff puff etc. like it is associated with one cylinder.

 

[SRadke]

Have you done an oil sample/analysis? That can tell you a lot.

 

[Mindbndr]

not yet. where can you have that done.

 

[Mindbndr]

if this is blow by. how long do i have left on this motor, and how much is that gonna set me back.

 

[SRadke]

Most farm equipment dealers or truck shops have a source for oil analysis. Blackstone Labs is a common nationwide mail in option.

If it is blowby then you have a problem in one or more cylinders and you're basically looking at a rebuild with possible machine work. Cost will vary with what needs to be done and who you have do it.

 

[JJPage]

i cant say that it smells like fuel, but it does stink. It stinks really bad. oil level looks normal. i will keep an eye on it. just as a helpful note, the motor was replaced about 25,000 miles ago under warranty for similar symptoms.

More like a vapor but has a very noticeable smell and exits the filler like a puff puff puff etc. like it is associated with one cylinder.

I am going to make a guess here, does the truck have Rotella oil in it..... ?

 

[Mindbndr]

The truck does have Rotella oil in it. You guys are good. Is this a bad thing. what can be done to fix this issue.

 

[JJPage]

Stop using Rotella oil, use Delo 400 15/40 or something close. Rotella stinks, in my opinion so does Castrol, not that they do not do a good job of lubricating, but they literally smell bad.



It may take a second oil change to get rid of the smell completely, but I believe your other symptoms may subside or be diminished as well.



Good Luck, keep us posted. Jess

 

[NRussell]

My friend has an 03 that is puffing smoke from the oil fill cap and the crank case breather. It idles a little rough but smoothes out immediately after he gives it some gas. It also puffs white smoke in the morning when he first starts it. This sounds serious to me and he depends on this truck for work, can you guys please help.

I have the exact same issues, pulled the head and mls gasket was blown between 1&2 cylinders and 4&5 was almost thru and 5&6 was blown thru gasket. pistons are good. injectors are being tested. also between cylinder 1&2 on head was scarred. head is at shop, dont know if its good, will know in next couple days.

 

[JJPage]

Mindbndr, the other posters (NRussell / SRadke) make valid points, you may have more serious issues. I know for sure, that changing from Rotella will eliminate the odor, thus making the other symptoms seemingly less noticeable.



Keep an eye on your coolant and oil level.

 

[Mindbndr]

thank you all, this helps alot. i will keep you all posted.

 

[Mindbndr]

nrussell... did you have any other obvious head gasket issues. coolant/oil mixing or low compression in any cylinders. what can i do to explore this without pulling the head.

 

[SRadke]

A bad gasket between cylinders will show up on a compression test.

 

[NRussell]

nrussell... did you have any other obvious head gasket issues. coolant/oil mixing or low compression in any cylinders. what can i do to explore this without pulling the head.

coolant/oil mixing... . no, nothing. oil was fine, coolant was fine. just the fluttering noise at wot. no need for compression test i knew i had serious problems:{

 

[NRussell]

he needs to stop driving it or it will just get worse... . expensive. pull the head, it will tell you everything. and have injectors tested.