Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel In Crankcase, How Much Damage?

[B D One]

Oil was a lot darker than usual, and thin! Did an oil change, a week later, maybe 300 miles, oil very dark and about a quart over. Found out # 4 fuel line was la little loose, and was leaking. Some on the outside, and obviously some inside down to the oil pan. Leak all fixed, but I'm concerned about bearing damage due to the diluted oil. At least it wasn't gas going down there!



What do you think, anything to worry about?



Shawn

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMMmm - fuel was leaking on the OUTSIDE of the engine, and somehow got INTO the oil pan?



I'm clearly missing something here...



BUT, I wouldn't get TOO worried if only a quart got in, depending on miles and length of time - not clear if you're saying the OLD oil was high/dirty because of fuel dilution, or if was after 300 miles on the NEW stuff...

 

[Truckie]

I don't think you did any bearing damage, Ford says with there 6. 0 that some thing like 3% is normal and not to worry. :--)

It sounds like you caught this problem early and took care of it.

A quart of fuel and 300 miles I think you are going to be OK.

Now if you were out dargracing and towing heavy loads and pushing it to the limit and then some day in and day out and never noticed it then I might be a little concerned.

Form you sig it looks like the truck is stock and you take pretty good care of it.

Sit back and relax you'll be OK.

MIKE

 

[B D One]

Thanks for your input. No its not stock, just haven't updated the sig. Got a Edge Comp, gages, & some other stuff. Haven't been towing, but I do enjoy the Edge.



Truckie, I agree not a problem with only 300 miles, but I really don't know how long its been leaking. I think it has gotten progressively worse over time due to the nut backing off.



Gary, the fuel was spraying out between the high pressure line and the nut where it goes in the head, not at idle, only while driving. Only reason I know it had a spray pattern is because of what was wet after the cleaning and test drive. The fuel getting into the oil was from the leak between the connector tube and the high pressure line inside the head. I think I remember that I read that any leak inside the head in this area would result in the fuel draining down into the oil pan.



So, I think I'm ok just wanted to get the input from the TDR members. As a group there is such a great amount of experience and tallent out there I just thought I would check. I'm selling it to a co-worker and didn't want to give him a bum truck. It has been a nice ride for me, I'm hoping the new one wil be as good.



Thanks again



Shawn

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

It's pretty tough to get diesel to get into the oil of a 24-valve. Darn near impossible!! Fuel that leaks around the injector tube will simply run to the fuel return and/or back out to where the fuel line nut is, as Cummins designed it.



The only way I can figure fuel got in the oil is somehow there was some spraying out where the tube meets the injector body and getting around the heavy O-rings around the injector body. I don't know how this happened unless one of the O-rings is damaged. It might be worth your time to investigate more, I would remove the injector tube from that cylinder and make sure it's not defective at the tip. If it is then there's a chance an O-ring is too, since spraying fuel in there could have cut through the rubber O-ring and found its way into the oil.



Vaughn

 

[B D One]

Thanks Vaughn, I'll Check it out. Since it was leaking at the fuel line, it most likley was also leaking at the injector due to the nut being loose. I have some connector tubes on order cause I did the assume thing before I checked and found a loose fitting.



So, any leaking fuel in the connector tube area would not go directly into the oil sump. Ok, good to know. Never had one apart that far to look at the casting, but thought I read it some where that it did. Thanks for the correction on that point.



My buddy is not picking up the truck till next weekend, so I have time to pull it apart and see whats up.



Thanks

Shawn

 

[kboettcher]

B D One



Have you done an injector change on this truck (I'm assuming your talking about the 98. 5 in this forum). Because if the injectors have been replaced and the serial number on your engine is 56462592 or earlier then the connector tubes should have been replaced also. The original tubes on these engines were a "one time use" and should be replaced with the updated ones. You can get the new ones from Piers quite cheap.

 

[B D One]

Thanks for the heads up on the tubes. I checked the serial # on my truck and it is 56466237. So I should be ok on that point.



I have changed them, and back to stock. Had DDIII and the Edge Comp, Truck was FUN, but too much smoke & I was concerned about breaking something. So back to stock injectors and left the Edge connected. It gives enough for a little fun and pulls my 17K combined truck and slide in camper/boat any where I want to go.

 

[kboettcher]

Looks like your ok on the tubes... ..... thats good to know. Still hope you find what is going on with the oil tho