Archived Diesel In Oil?

[mr111]

I recently (finally) had my injection pump changed under warranty. It has been approximately 2,500 miles since this was done, and 7000 miles (it's been really cold) since I changed my oil. I use Rotella T 15W40. When I drained the oil saturday, it poured out like black water. It splashed off my drain pan in every direction including my face and hands. It was not particulary warm. I immediately thought maybe the new VP44 is leaky so I just filled it back up with new oil and took it to the dealer. I also put a sample of the oil I took out into a glass jar, but the container I was draining the oil into was not clean so I'm pretty sure the sample was contaminated. The dealer claims they have no way to verify the leak or test the oil, and that the sample oil I gave them just looks like used oil to them. Additionally, neither I nor the dealer tech could smell any diesel in the oil. I contacted Geno's garage and subsequently ordered an oil test kit. I then contacted Fleetguard who performs the test and spoke with a tech there about some additional tests they can perform on the oil. The tech there also said that he has never smelled diesel in the oil because the smell of the oil masks the scent. The dealer recommended that I monitor the level of the oil and if it is rising, to bring it back and they will address it then. Can anyone recommend anything else to try or any other course of action? Should I be worried about driving the truck? I think diesel will just thin the oil, and cause wear by not sticking to parts it should, but will it cause any other harm? Any help truly appreciated.



Mark

2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Diesel

 

[Kyle]

This won't be much help. Just wanted to say you're on the right track. Test the oil as quickly as possible (doesn't have to be old oil). If there is diesel in there (as in unburned fuel) you're better off fixing it quickly.



I don't thinkg the VP44 is oil cooled but I could be wrong. If I'm right, and you find fuel in your oil, then you've probably got an injector leaking somewhere. Can't think of another way for fuel to reach the crankcase.

 

[Alan Reagan]

The VP 44 is not oil cooled. The old P-700 was oil cooled. If you are getting fuel in oil, then it has to be either a crossover tube or injector.

 

[rashwor]

Take heart. I doubt that you are getting fuel in the crankcase / oil. This is virtually unheard of in second gens. I suspect any sample you take will test fine (except for the contaminated change you mentioned previously).



I would take a sample and have it tested. Also keep an eye on the oil level. If it is creeping up, water or fuel one is getting in there.



Again, I highly doubt you have fuel in the oil. Rock on.

 

[mr111]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I realize that the vp44 is not oil cooled, but there is a drive gear that has a seal, right? This is a new pump that could have leaked from the begining, so maybe there was some defect to this seal. None the less, I'm glad to hear this isn't a likely problem. If it's an injector, how do you find the leak? What is the crossover tube? If it isn't diesel fuel, what could have caused the thin condition of the oil. I have run various grades of oil in various vehicles, and have changed the oil in this one quite a few times, but I have never seen oil of this fluid consistency. Could it be some defective or mispackaged oil? When installing it last oil change I don't remember any strange occurances. I can't imagine it would be water in the oil because there was no discoloration or milky consistency, just jet black waterlike fluid. Thanks again.

 

[rkressg]

There is a gasket between the drive gear (input shaft) and the pump. I doubt it is leaking there (atleast significantly). What is more likely is, the tech who changed the pump over tightened the fuel lines and possibly caused a small crack to form in one of the fuel connecting tubes, thus leaking fuel into the valve train (still unlikely).



Like rashwor said, it is very rare for fuel to get into the crankcase on a 2nd gen 24 valve, but anything is possible.



You can have the injectors tested, but I believe they (a good Bosch shop) can only check pop-off pressure. The cross over tube is what connects the fuel line to the injector in the head. It is between where the fuel lines connect to the right side of the head, and the injector in the middle of the head. They are under the valve cover.



Rotella T does usually come out very thin if it is warm. Also, about the only other liquid that could be in the oil would be anti-freeze, but if a significant leak were present, the oil would appear grey, you would be loosing coolant, and you could definitely smell it. I do not think it could be defective oil.



-Rich Oo.

 

[patcarman]

mr111 if you dont want to wait on a oil annalisus then go to a speedco truck lube center or a big truck dealership with a garage,they can test it and tell u in about 10 minuites,i drive a truck and i get mine checked about every other one, its about 15 dollars, hope this helps... . ohhh by the way if u mail your sampl it could take up to 2 weeks,i think i done it twice.

 

[BILLVO]

You are on the right track having your oil sampled, and yes prolonged driving with fuel in oil if that truly is the problem can damage the engine. there are many ways to get fuel in oil. Prolonged or excessive idling ecspecially when cold out can cause unburned fuel caused by low cylinder temps to wash oil off of cylinder wall causing ring and cylinder wear and fuel leaking past piston rings. Another way is if there is a bad injector tip flooding a cylinder with fuel also going past rings will cause exhaust smoke and or miss if this is a condition. A bad injector or weak cylinder is easily checked with an infared temp gun at each cylinder on exhaust manifold the temp will be colder than other cylinders at idle. A crossover tube can cause this also easy to check with valve cover off engine running look for fuel leaking around injector lines. Another way is if there are bad or sticking intake or exhaust valves. Hope some of this info helps.