Truck "making" oil?? Help

[Gardiner]

The oil level in my truck seems to keep rising slightly (2 litres over the last 3 weeks). Coolant levels are not changing and the oil is not milky. I have sent an oil sample away to see if fuel is leaking into the system, but the results are a week away.



The lift pump is less than 1 year old, but the VE pump has almost 300,000 km on it. The pump currently has a small leak at the throttle shaft, but that shouldn't be causing any internal leakage should it?? The injector shops that I have spoken with say it is rare for a VE to leak internally.



Should I not be driving the truck until the results come back? How can I test the lift pump for leakage? I just don't want to replace the injector pump unless I have to... . which is sooner than later anyway!!



Thanks

 

[MMiller]

Pull the dipstick and smell it, it will probably smell like fuel. My truck has done this twice in the 227,000 miles I've owned it. I have drained the oil and almost filled a 5 gallon bucket I watched it very closely after that, and have had no more problems.



Have you changed the oil? If its still creaping up still, then I'd get the VE resealed.



Too much diesel will make the oil lose its ability to keep the bearings from rubbing on the crank. Basically the bottom end of your engine will not like you if the oil gets diluted enough.



Michael

 

[Gardiner]

The dipstick smells like something other that just oil, but doesn't seem too thin yet.

The oil has less than 1500 kms on it. I just noticed the level creeping up very recently and suspected it had something to do with the pump.



Any recommendations on a 230 hp VE pump? I see they are both available from PDR or BD.

 

[MMiller]

I am assuming you check the oil level with the truck setting in the same place, or at least very level. My level will be different with the truck on a slight incline.



I have no recomendations on a 230hp pump. My only comment is I'm over 230 hp at the back tires with some pump tweaks and Bosch 185 injectors. Other then that comment I know nothing about the 230 hp pump. Maybe Pastor Bob will see this post and comment, or somebody else that knows PDR stuff well.



Michael

 

[dpuckett]

There is a seal on the shaft of the pump (going to the drive gear) that is proned to leaking. If you are gaining that much oil, I'd park it unless you absolutely have no other choice. I would also see about having a shop rebuild your pump- normally it costs less than an exchange and you know what you have.



I would call that an external leak from the pump standpoint. it is kinda in that grey area... ...



Daniel

 

[1stgen4evr]

" I'd park it unless you absolutely have no other choice. "



Daniel is right of course but you could put new oil (regardless of the fact that you just recently changed it) till you get the test result. Before pulling the pump, check out the lift pump. They will sometimes leak fuel into the crankcase. The Roosa injection pumps are real bad about blowing the seal on the drive. Not usually a problem with the VE.



Best luck on whatever it is.



James

 

[tugboatphil]

If you're going to get your pump worked on, find out who the local Bosch repair facility is. Around here, you can take it to Cummins, or a truck garage, or anyone who'll work on a diesel. But THEY all send them to the same shop for the rebuild. Naturally, they tack on a fee for doing that. Go straight to the source.

 

[Gardiner]

Thanks guys, I'll probably park it or do limited driving until I get the results back.



How do I check to see if the lift pump is causing the leak? It was replaced less than a year ago, so I am just assuming that the fuel pump is causing the problem, not the lift pump... .

 

[dpuckett]

Take the LP off and smell the back side for fuel. Bout the only way I know how.



-DP