Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Excessive Blow-By?

[AndyMan]

Does anyone KNOW if this is "excessive" blow-by or not?



The nickel is for perspective, and the links at the bottom are for higher res-images.



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Higher Resolution -1

Higher Resolution - 2

Higher Resolution - 3



I'm still somewhat concerned about a blown headgasket. No bubbles in the coolant, and no leaks (knock on wood) in the cooling system. The oil you see is the result of about 5 days in the garage. A couple of those days the truck was driven (heavy footed) a few miles.



Thanks in advance.

 

[acook]

Andy,



Is this coming from the blow-by tube? There is a baffle in the tappet cover where the blow-by tube comes out. Sometimes this will come loose and allow oil to leak out of the tube. Can you see anything coming from the tube while the truck is running? Oil, smoke, excess gases?

 

[AndyMan]

Thanks for the tips Anthony.



Upon further inspection (cleaning the blowby tube and driving a few miles), it appears the droplets are coming from somewhere else.



Look at these pics (don't freak out until you read after the link... ):

Oil Leak



It appears that there is LOTS of wet oil from the pics. That is a little deciving. The block is just glossy (~3k miles on it) and clean. It is NOT wet with oil. What DOES appear to be wet with oil is each bolt head on the drivers side of the oil pan. Also, part of the flange on the oil pan is wet. The oil pan itself is not we (although some of the pics make it appear to be. ). The bottom of the drivers side motor mount is wet as well. The bottom of the steering stabilizer and the bottom of the front crossmember are also gunked up and wet.



It's almost like the gasket for the oil pan has failed (although it should be brand new. ). The leaks appear to be coming from the bolts and pooling on the heads. ??



NOTE: In the pic, the blow-by tube is filthy. I cleaned it inside and out b/f driving this afternoon. There appears to be no sign of any oil in it now after driving.

 

[Johnstra]

Andy - In image "13 of 18" (the one that shows a good view of the gear housing) it looks like oil is traveling down the gear housing. Have you checked the vacuum pump, injection pump, and timing pin for leaks? The gasket between your gear housing and block looks to be good.

-john

 

[BigPapa]

Andy,



Mine's the same way. I've been sweating an oil pan gasket. After getting down and dirty with it yesterday, I've determined that it's my vac-pump that I've already put a seal in once. From above the vac-pump looks dry but from below I can see where the oil is flowing from it down to the oil pan. I've got to do mine pretty quick, I hope to be driving to Denver in the next few weeks.



Scott

 

[AndyMan]

Thanks for the info John and Scott. Hopefully you've nailed the prob on mine. Just gonna have to get in there after it and see... It's been doing this since I bought it. Scott, does your underside look like mine? Weird oil droplets on the bolt heads?

 

[DSahd]

Andy, while you are there check your seal in the gearcase. Mine was leaking pretty bad and I replaced it when I tabbed the KDP. Looked similar to what I can make out in your pics.

Cheers Derek

 

[BigPapa]

Weird oil droplets on the bolt heads?

Yep, that's what she looks like.



Scott