Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Finally fixed the Blow-by bottle

[Boondocker]

You know why they call it a Blow-by bottle? Because the oily crankcase vapors that blow "into" the bottle get blown right back out by the fan and all over everything under the hood.



I know this isn't a new topic. I knew about it 21/2 years ago when I bought my new truck. Considering all the mods I've done, it's unconscienable that I didn't do this one. I certainly should have done it long before the greasy caked on mess became too much to bear.



The heck of it is, the job is stupid easy and cheap to boot. For those of you who don't know the drill, I did it like this. Bought a 5-foot length of 3/4 ID heater hose, a matching connector kit (for putting 2 same-size hoses together), and a big bottle of degreaser spray as punishment for neglecting this simple job for so long. 1 hose clamp and 1 11mm nut hold the stock hose and bottle to the crank case breather. Unscrew the bottle, spill the oil all over (optional), cut off the zip tie that holds the bottle cap on and mate the hoses. Reinstall the factory hose with its clamp and run the long hose down, making sure it has some slack but isn't at risk from any moving parts. I ran mine down the drivers' side, inboard of the shock tower, exiting outboard of the frame just behind the body mount. I decided to reuse the bottle. So slip the cap on and fasten a zip tie to hold the cap from slipping off. I found an oval hole in the frame, took a 2-inch long bolt (diameter to fit through the bottle holder) and sandwiched the frame with a couple large washers and a nut to make a stud. Attach bottle with washer and nut. Done.



This is a must-do project, the sooner the better, like before your engine and front drive train get all gunky.



Neil



P. S. I got most of the grease off, couple years worth anyway. More cleaning to do. BTW, I used Greased Lightening Degreaser and a garden hose sprayer. Good stuff and didn't leave mess on the driveway either. Of course a pressure washer would be better, but I don't have one and I'm not willing to lay under the truck at the local spray-n-wash.



I will not let my truck get this gunky again.

I will not let my truck get this gunky again.

I will not let my truck get this gunky again.

 

[mmclaughlin]

I was just under my truck yesterday doing some checking, and I really have to get off my butt and do this one! Off to the hardware store this weekend!!



BTW how do you like the 4" Magnaflow? Did you go with the 304 SS?

 

[Boondocker]

The exhaust is a Flow-Pro kit, 4" from the turbo, mandrel bent, 16 gauge aluminized. I upgraded the muffler only from the kit offering - straight-through, baffled, unpacked, to the Magnaflow 24" - straight-through, packed. I would say it is as quiet as stock at idle and barely louder under load (from the drivers seat), mostly just a deeper tone.

 

[EricBu12]

Neil,



Your fix sounds OK,... . AS LONG as you don't have any uphill to the exit of the hose. I see you are in Las Vegas so no worries on freezing weather... (uphill makes oil pool up in the hose then the vent is plugged so your seals fail..... So you need to have a constant downhill for the hose.



I moved my breather to the rear of the Valve cover. An edited story of it is in the new TDR Mag with pictures. There are more pictures on the origional post. .



But the rear vent has less gunk to come out since it is on the top of the engine and it has to go uphill from there to go out then down the side and tie to just behind the axle. Cut the hose on an angle so the slipstream of the wind pulls the vapors out. I hardly see any drips at all and the truck underneath is clean.

 

[Boondocker]

it's all downhill

Hi Eric,



You gave me the tour of your vapor ventilation at May Madness After inspecting your Show 'n Shine winner, I was motivated :{

I think I have sufficient angle of the dangle and the oil won't be able to resist the slippery slope :-laf

A little more gunk removal to do and I'll consider the job done.



Cheers,

Neil

 

[Boondocker]

update - happiness is a longer hose

I have to update this story. The 5' hose terminated just under the driver's door. At a stop, when some "vapor" aka. oil smoke was coming out, it wafted up right next to me. That was a little unsettling. Note that my oil level is a little over full, which I think contributes to this effect. I'll be more carefull about this in future oil changes.



So I got a 10' hose and ran it along the frame to the back of the cab, still trying to maintain a little slope. The bottle mounting isn't as slick because there were no convenient holes to fasten to.



With the bottle in the stock location, the fan does a good job of dispersing the smoke so that it is less visible. Of course this makes a grimy mess of everything behind the fan. With the bottle exposed (not visible from above the rocker panel), calm conditions, such as at a stop with no wind, allow the smoke to be more concentrated, thus visible. I know what it is, so I don't worry about it, but I just know someone is going to be alarmed and point it out to me.



Some have suggested just running the hose into the frame. This seems akin to sweeping dirt under the rug. Hope the bottle doesn't fall off