Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Three problems after rebuild.

[cluckmaster]

I've put about 8k miles on since I had the head off and did most of the upgrades in my sig. Checked my oil level the other day, and had used 3 quarts, and I've got oil all over the underside of my truck from the breather tube. Before, I never used any oil at all, and I changed every 10k miles. Use Amsoil 15 W40 synthetic. Any suggestions where to start? We had the head off because the cam gear broke, bending all of the pushrods. So, we did the following while it was apart:

new performance cam and gear, thicker marine gasket, ported head, pushrods, modified rocker towers, head studs, 3k gsk, water pump, bumped timing to 17*, 4" exhaust, & gauges.



Original turbo. Don't pull anything heavy for the most part and haven't driven hard at all b/c I'm on my original transmission.



In addition, when I'm having a slight starting problem, but it's probably unrelated. If my truck has been sitting for any length of time since it's last start (more than an hour or two) it will start up right away, run for exactly six seconds, then the rpms die and it shuts down. I can usually pump the gas and make it catch, and it runs really rough for about ten seconds while it pumps tons of white smoke, then runs perfect. A year and a half ago I had an air leak, and replaced the fuel lines and lift pump before finally removing the fuel heater and fixing the problem. We didn't use diesel grade line to replace the old ones, so I'm going to do that now and change the filter and see if it fixes the problem. Don't think the problems are related, but thought I'd include everything.



Also, I've experienced a slight decrease in fuel mileage since the rebuild. Thanks for any help!



97 4x4 2500 Ext. Cab auto 252k mi / 4" MRBP/ #8 plate/ 3k GSK/ Hogue cam/ head studs/ DIY porting/ DiProcol Optix gauges/ Lukes Link/ 35'' MT Claws

 

[RBratby]

check for a vacuum leak. that is what my problem was. have you checked you fuel pressure? it could be you return line.

 

[CToney]

A plugged breather can make gaskets leak real bad and you can have a real mess underneath your truck. Check fuel pressure, could be bad lift pump (sometimes the don't last long) or overflow valve. Good luck.



CR Toney

 

[cluckmaster]

Anyone know where I can pick up an attachment this engine for my leakdown tester? I'll check the vacuum first. Also, how do I check for a plugged breather?



Where is the overflow valve located?



Sorry so many questions- every time something goes wrong with this truck I'm pretty much starting from scratch on learning the systems. Thanks!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Cluckmaster just so you understand when you're checking for vacuum leaks you are looking at the vacuum pump (versus an air or manifold leak like on a gasser). The reason the vacuum pump can cause a mess & oil usage is because it vents into the crankcase and when the system has a leak it pumps a lot of air in there and blows a lot of oil vapor (and oil) out.



Other things that can cause oil usage is bad turbo seals (pressurizes crankcase via oil return line), or a leaky headgasket (hopefully that's not your problem). I seriously doubt the breather is plugged, the one on my '96 was perfectly clear when I removed it at 387K.



The Overflow valve is on the side of the front of the pump. It's where the fuel line comes out between the pump & cyl. head.



Vaughn

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Your start/stall problem sounds a lot like you're sucking air on your fuel line. Do the usual checks for air entering the fuel system. I'd start checking around the head. That's what was disturbed last.

Joe