Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blow-by smell

[Mabrown]

I have a 2002 2500 Ram that I replaced my totalled 1997 with and I notice much more blow by smell from the engine than my old one. I have 7,700 miles on it and the dealer says it is just the oil additives burning off. The smell does not go away between oil changes. Is it common to still smell it? It smells most when truck is warmed up and stopped at a stoplight. (I realize the Cummins has an open crankcase ventilation system. )

 

[Thomas]

Check the integrity of the cowl seal—the seal can come loose.



TSB 09-02-00

 

[Mabrown]

I almost added that to my original post but yes I have checked the cowl seal and it is sealing fine, thanks though.

 

[Mad Max]

Some brands of oil are worse (smelling) than others.

I removed my drip bottle and with a 3/4" plastic barbed hose splice and some 3/4" hose extended the vent hose down to the bottom of the front edge of the oil pan. I then use a long zip tie rap to make a loop from a ground on the engine. This pulls the hose back to one side and keeps it clear of the balancer or making contact with the fan. Cuts down on stink through A/C vents when not on recirculate as well as oil film furr on the front cover and fan blades.



If you're into high water/stream crossings or mudding, I would not go this route though.



MaX



Ps. Valvoline Premium Blue stunk badly, I used it to break in my motor. Since break-in I've used 76's Royal Triton QLT and the stink has been reduced tremendously. Some oils are smelling than others.

 

[dan_gilson]

Check the oil level. If overfull you will tend to get more smell. I typically fill a quart low at the change and then add after 500 miles. This also reduces the smell.



The cowl seals are the pieces of foam rubber than go between the hood and the black plastic air vent. If you do not get a good seal you will suck in any blow by.



At your current milage you have not yet broken in so you are still getting a lot more fumes that you will in the future.



I hope this helps.

 

[rspinks]

I've still got the blow-by bottle but not for long. I got much less smell this oil change with PB (14000km) than the last change at 6000km at DC dealer. Either PB is less smelly than the DC oil or I'm getting better ring seal now than the last oil change. Last time the smell was so bad I pulled over on the highway thinking something was wrong.



Rich

 

[Bigsaint]

I always had a certain amount of blow by smell from my truck with Rotella T. That's without the blow by bottle attached. My last oil change, I couldn'd find Rotella anywhere. I ended up using Valvoline All fleet 15W-40. After a short 200 miles, the lovely aroma was gone. Personally, I miss it and will be using Rotella T for my next change .



Scott W.

 

[rspinks]

Scott it's strange but I miss the smell as well, even though I thought it was disgusting the first time. I'm also getting less concerned and more amused by the people who scowl and roll up their windows at stoplights in the city, presumably from the noise and smell my truck makes.

 

[Bigsaint]

Originally posted by rspinks

Scott it's strange but I miss the smell as well, even though I thought it was disgusting the first time. I'm also getting less concerned and more amused by the people who scowl and roll up their windows at stoplights in the city, presumably from the noise and smell my truck makes.

LOL, welcome to our little world, where only a select few actually enjoy all the smells and sounds .



A short story on blow by... when I first picked up my truck, it was a crisp fall day. On the way home I had the vents open and I could acutally see the oily mist entering the cab. I had my two daughters in the back and they started screaming about the smell, I told them it was the smell of VICTORY .



Losing the blow by bottle will all but end the scent in the cab as it stops the fan from sucking it right up and into the engine compartment. I did this for the oily mess it was creating, not the wonderful aroma. If you decide to do this, just keep the extension short. Mine's extended to the trackbar and zip tied off. It does drip slightly, if thats a concern for you.



Scott W.