Crankcase Breather Bottle

[JohnThorpe]

I just recently upgraded from a 2001 plain-jane Dodge Ram 2500 to a 2002 (used) Dodge Ram 3500 Dually. The only concern I have it the constant oil spatter in my driveway. When I purchased this used 2002 truck from the dealer I asked them about the oil covering the front of the engine and they said it was the crankcase breather bottle/vent. They cleaned everything up and there are no gasket leaks - however it seems rather odd that this little bottle can cause such a mess. My previous 2001 never spit a drop.



My questions are:



1) Should I be concerned that there is internal damage to the engine (only 26,000 miles) and that is the root cause?



2) Or is it just the crankcase breather bottle and how can I fix or replace it all together?



Any information on this topic would be greatly appreciated.



Thank you.



-- email address removed --

 

[Diesel Gunner]

I am somewhat suspicious. My 2001 HO has the pill bottle crankcase vent set up (although I relocated it down by the sway bar because I was tired of it messing up the front of the engine) and it never drips either. If the crankcase is not overfilled and the pill bottle isn't full, it should not drip. I don't mean to get you worried, but I am wondering if possibly the rings are worn and blow by is a problem. That would force more vapor out of the crankcase. However it is somewhat hard to believe at 26k. Any signs of the engine being overheated?

 

[GWHaley]

I have a 2001. 5 that makes a bit of a mess on the front cover also. The truck only has 12,000 mi on it and seems to run strong even though it is stock. I was thinking about lengthening the tube, but would also like to hear from others if that's a good idea or????? Gordon

 

[WMeyers]

My 2000 was a mess on the front of the engine and was starting to drip on the garage floor. About 1 1/2 years ago I removed the bottle and extended the hose straight down. No more mess and no more drips in the garage even though I have no bottle on it.

 

[NETim]

Put a sock in it!

One of the "fixes" for this problem is to simply cut the toe off of a sock and pull it over the bottle. It soaks up the vapor and the bottle can still breath. Keeps the engine compartment cleaner supposedly.



I don't remember for sure who invented this hi-tech fix, but I believe it was Steve St. Larent.



I installed this "fix" a week or two ago so I can't comment just yet on its' effectiveness.



As far as possible engine damage on the truck on the original post here, I guess I'd just watch the oil consumption for awhile. You're still under warrantee yet fortunately.



Tim

 

[EricBu12]

Do this, this solves all problems including the spilling of oil if you go down a steep (23 deg) downhill. It spouts about 2 qts of oil if you do.

Do the repair I did and see less if not none oil drips because of the vent location... . and since the front hose is then blocked off, you can go 4-wheelin with confidence.





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73627

 

[Billy Diesel]

There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for it. Bring it back to the dealer and they will fix it.









TSB 09-022-02

 

[jcbrown]

NOT!

Originally posted by wrhuston

There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for it. Bring it back to the dealer and they will fix it.



TSB 09-022-02

Dealer will ONLY do the TSB if you experienced this condition!

 

[Billy Diesel]

TOO!





So tell them you drive offroad and experience oil coming out. Worked for me, once I printed off the TSB because they said it didn't exist.

 

[hammersley]

Read this TSB

I think this is a joke! Have any of you read what you have to remove - to make this fix??? You practically take the front apart-- Why would you remove the VP44??????

 

[Prairie Dog]

At least you guys with 2nd gens have the bottle, The 03's don't have them!

 

[Johnny5]

hammersly... I saw the same stuff... Was thinking of at least looking into buying the kit but after seeing those instructions plus the warranty time of 3. 2hrs I figure it would be a 6 hr job cause those times they give ya are usually a little off base, unless you are an expert...

 

[TowPro]

my 98 only had a hose, and it dripped all over the sway bar bushing. My 02 has the bottle, and it sprayed all over the front of the motor, and the sway bar bushing. So I got some fittings from Tractor supply, drilled a hole in my fender and mounted the bottle in the fender well in front of the control arm. Now the fan don't blow the mess all over, and the bottle actualy works and catches the mist!



Just make sure the route from the original bottle location, to the new location is down hill so water can't condence in the hose and freeze, blocking the hose.