Bypass filters and oil aeration

[Johnstra]

I found an interesting thread over at BITOG dealing with where bypass filters should return oil (http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=reply;f=36;t=000068). Most on this thread believe returning oil to the valve train area (including through the filler cap) is a bad idea as it can cause oil to mist/aerate which is bad news. One post claims a bypass can return a quart per minute and that much oil in the valve return galleys can cause problems. One poster describes a runaway engine scenario caused by misted oil entering the intake!



The concensus on this thread is that oil should be returned directly to the pan either through a new hole in the pan or through the oil plug.



I'm not ready to move my Frantz return line yet (it's going in the filler cap now), but it did make me take notice.



-john

 

[bmoeller]

Have you checked to see if it is a problem?



With the engine running and up to temp, pull the dipstick. If it is, you will see it. If it is being aerated, the oil can turn almost white.

Originally posted by Johnstra

One poster describes a runaway engine scenario caused by misted oil entering the intake!

That should only be a potential problem on engines with vented crankcase vapors going to the air intake like the Ford diesels (6. 9L- current) and GM diesels and the gassers with a PCV valve or something similar. Unsure on the ISBe in the 3rd gen trucks, but the earlier Cummins engines are vented to the atmosphere.

 

[Johnstra]

Not since I read that thread, but I've pulled the dipstick a couple of times immediately after shutdown since I installed my Frantz and didn't notice anything unusual. I wasn't looking for bubbles/froth, but I would have noticed. I'll keep an eye on it, but as I said, I'm not concerned enough to change my configuration.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I pour a full gallon at a time of Delo 400 15/40 into the oil fill on my Cummins - and the oil manages to drain into the block quite quickly - I'm not too concerned about that piddly little 1/4 inch small stream of return from my bypass filter causing a meltdown - sure hasn't done it yet on a couple hundred thousand miles use!



Some folk must spend LOTS of time trying to find things to worry about - me, I just worry about scraping up enough dough to fill my fuel tanks...

 

[Texas Diesel]

Great article, thanks for posting it.



Gary, it's reassuring to know that those people on that thread that had problems were just "trying to find things to worry about"

 

[Chipstien]

I welded a 1/8" bung onto the oil return line from the turbo. Works great and drains directly into the pan.

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by Tejas Deezul

it's reassuring to know that those people on that thread that had problems were just "trying to find things to worry about"

 

[Leroy D]

Chipstien,-------I did the same thing as you. except I used that funny self tapping plug that come with the Frantz kit. I ground the big threads off the thing until it was almost a solid tapered plug. then I drilled a hole in the turbo drain tube on the back side and brazed the plug into the hole. It is lower than the filter so that it gravity drains into the oil pan. It seemed a lot less complicated than some of the other setups that some of the guys were talking about. I mounted the filter on the inside finder just below the battery. It only took about one foot of hose to drain the filter into the connection and I think it looks neat. ----Leroy D

 

[JSmith]

Put pic`s up for all to see in the post I posted on Frantz pic installs. ThanksOo.

 

[Leroy D]

I tried. It wont let me because it says that the files are too large.

 

[Chipstien]

Leroy, if you want you can email me the pictures and I will shrink them down and post them for you. Email is -- email address removed --. I am still trying to figure out where I placed my camera so I can take pics of mine.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Gary, it's reassuring to know that those people on that thread that had problems were just "trying to find things to worry about"



One evidence of reasonable common sense and logical thought, is the ability to filter fact from pure BS - and the bit about foaming oil and possible engine runaway from returning bypass oil into the rocker gallery, at least with our Cummins, is certainly NOT "fact"...



Now, lessee, what does that leave...



And no, the sky isn't falling, either...

 

[Josparkz]

Originally posted by Chipstien

I welded a 1/8" bung onto the oil return line from the turbo. Works great and drains directly into the pan.

That sounds much better than dropping the oil pan