Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) smoke from the draft tube and damper question

[TPringle]

I have been reading as much as I can about this 24v engine, and could use a little advice. It is fairly high mileage, seems to have been maintained.



1. When the engine warms up, I get some smoke/vapor out of the draft tube. The previous owner removed a can or something because it threw oil all over the front of the engine. It isnt excessive smoke, but is notable in sunlight and seems to drip oil from time to time. I mentioned this to a friend that is a diesel mechanic, he said the top ring may be stuck allowing some blowby, esp if the truck hasnt been run hard. Maybe the engine simply needs serviced and isnt any cause for alarm. I have a 95, 12v that has none at all. Is this cause for concern, normal for a high miler, or something else causing this that maybe I havent thought of?



2. Crank damper is shot! I read a recent article in the TDR mag about checking that thing. I am on a bit of a budget, and while I'd love to hang a Fluidamper on the front of the crank, funds say maybe not at this time. A Dorman is available for a shade more than $100. Anyone had any experiance with this they would care to share?



I have given up on the search feature in this site - just cant get anywhere, and it is probably me not knowing how to work it correctly. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fireman Dave]

1. When the engine warms up, I get some smoke/vapor out of the draft tube. The previous owner removed a can or something because it threw oil all over the front of the engine. It isnt excessive smoke, but is notable in sunlight and seems to drip oil from time to time. I mentioned this to a friend that is a diesel mechanic, he said the top ring may be stuck allowing some blowby, esp if the truck hasnt been run hard. Maybe the engine simply needs serviced and isnt any cause for alarm. I have a 95, 12v that has none at all. Is this cause for concern, normal for a high miler, or something else causing this that maybe I havent thought of?

This is totally normal. All of us who've chucked the blow by canister see vapor coming out of the tube. I think it looks cool - especially on cold days.

A little drip of oil here and there comes along with this modification.

 

[FCrowder]

If the vapor is exsessive it may be a vacum leak. The vacum pump exhaust go's into the crankcase. Mine did the same thing and i found a tee on the firewall that had split.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I've owned 3 24-valve trucks and 2 12 valves, the 24v seems to make a little more vapor out the draft tube but interestingly they all consumed far less oil than my 12-valves.

 

[Moe]

I did away with the bottle and ran a hose from the draft tube to the rear of the cab. No oil mess at all. Still a little vapor. Never uses any oil. I change every 5000 miles. Now if you want to see a leaker, I have a mci motorhome that uses {call it leaks} 2 gallons every 1000 miles, which , I guess is near normal. Moe

 

[Ram4Sam]

If the vapor is exsessive it may be a vacum leak. The vacum pump exhaust go's into the crankcase. Mine did the same thing and i found a tee on the firewall that had split.

This happened to me also, hvac was acting funny and more stuff out the draft tube, found a split hose, all is well.



Sam