Blow By Smoke 2003

[CB HUNTER]

I have a 03 5. 9 that i have 270,000 miles on the engine with no troubles or engine repairs until the last couple weeks. Im getting blow by smoke pretty bad where when you stop at a stop sign you can smell it. i just started burning oil pretty bad also. when opening the oil cap i have smoke puffing out of the valve cover not terrible but noticable. Am i looking at a broken ring or could i possible get lucky and could it be something else. Engine sounds fine and runs fine. Im not a diesel mechanic but i know a little about the engine. Any scenarios before i take it to a real mechanic?

 

[TCDiesel]

Excessive Positive crankcase pressure ,usually means broken rings or shattered rings. How Much Oil is it using? You don't want to operate unnecessarily,Prolong operation will destroy the Block.

 

[CB HUNTER]

using a quart every 500 miles.

 

[TCDiesel]

Thats alot... I would park it and Pull the Head,But I think its to late to save the Block.

 

[CB HUNTER]

thanks for your thoughts, im leaning on your thoughts also. a buddie of mine said he has heard of a bad turbo causing blow by ? any thoughts on that?

 

[rscurtis]

Theoretically it's possible, but if the turbo is bad enough to leak that much exhaust or intake pressure into the oil drain system, it would literally have to be in pieces.

 

[TCDiesel]

Theoretically it's possible, but if the turbo is bad enough to leak that much exhaust or intake pressure into the oil drain system, it would literally have to be in pieces.

X2 and smoke... . Oil would be seen at the elbow or intake.

 

[CB HUNTER]

Thanks, i will check turbo tonight,I know Im wishing. Truck still looks great,wonder what a rebuild cost. i wouldnt attempt to rebuild my self, but i could pull the engine and replace myself,or just sell as is and take my loss and buy new. two girls in college not really ready for payments again???? 270,000 on the 47re also with no repairs?

 

[rscurtis]

Personally, I would repair your existing engine, and in the worst case, re-use your original camshaft in a new short block (if necessary, and assuming its still OK). I don't see it in your signature, but if you have an aftermarket air filter, now would be a good time to get rid of it. Even if you freshen up your 47 at the same time, it's still much cheaper than a new truck.



The other thing you might consider is replace your engine with an '03 or '04 HO engine and its mating 48RE transmission.

 

[Fistfull]

Thats alot... I would park it and Pull the Head,But I think its to late to save the Block.

When we pulled into Flagstaff at the first fuel stop on vacation last summer, the oil was dripping from numerous points on the underside of the truck. It had been a long hot summer in Phoenix, I have triple A, it's vacation to Yellowstone, I'm going at this point. I grabbed a gallon of rotela and off we go. It's a pretty good jaunt from Phoenix to Yellowstone and back, used almost 2 gallons of oil. Truck still ran like a scalded cat. Truck went to the shop when we got home, two broken rings... A set of 40 over pistons, a new cam and a host of other items she's good to go.

 

[HBarlow]

CB,

You might go over to the Gen II 12 valve forum and read the long string of similar posts by GAmes about his 800,000 mile 12 valve. He has recently developed excessive oil consumption also and has discussed lots of details with other knowledgeable members.

It sounds like your oil rings are worn or broken. Cummins engines do wear out but usually much later than yours. Individual factors vary. Yours may have run hot, produced high egts without your knowledge, or you may have had a bad air filter allowing dust entry.

Rebuilds by local mechanics who may use cheap (non-Cummins) parts are often more expensive than a Cummins remanufacturered engine when all is done.

I'm not capable of doing a rebuild myself and don't know a local shop who could do a professional rebuild so I would either install a provable low mileage engine from a wrecked truck or a Cummins reman.

 

[AClayton]

In my opinion... ..... it is obvious the truck was not abused or over-worked... ... . if that is even possible. The original 47RE trans still in place and towing anything over 5k lbs pretty much negates the possibility of abuse to the truck.





I have one question though... ..... Why would the block be scrapped TC Diesel?





Alan

 

[Wingate]

IF its broken rings... there will most likely be cylinder wall damage... Nothing an overbore or sleeve cant fix though.

You could pull the injectors and have the engine borescoped. . Just to look for cylinder wall damage before disassembling the engine. Atleast you would KNOW what you were in for. .

Overheating will usually gall an aluminum skirted piston. . which will damage piston rings. If it has broken rings without galling (assuming aluminum skirted pistons) then I would look at if its all top rings and some seconds... if so, that very well may be inlet air contamination. . (dusted) That can be verified by an oil sample.

 

[kevdiggins]

what did that repair cost you, Fistfull?

 

[Mathes308]

Slim chance of it being the turbo but have heard of blowing compression past the injector seals creating excessive blowby and therefore losing oil through the weep tube.
The common issue is usually a broken ring.
Get in a shop and start digging.
Sucks.
At least taking the head off is fairly easy.