I have the tow vehicle in my signature, and when new I noticed oil on the bottom of the engine. Think it was coming out the breather tube and getting blown back. Took it to the dealer, and was told this was normal as it hadnt broken in. To come back if it was still doing it at 10,000 miles. It now has 28,000 on it, and about 20,000 of them are towing the 5W, so it should be broken in. Took it back to same dealer, and they said they didnt know what it was. Only thing they could think of to try was to replace a "box" somewhere in the intake system. I know, that is pretty vague, but that is the best explanation the service mgr could give. They ordered the "box" and today they were supposed to have put it on. I looked over the truck when I got home, and the mechanic is so good he didnt even get fingerprints in the dust anywhere on the engine that I could see. They asked me to sign a work order and then didnt give me a copy. So I figure they are charging Dodge for warranty work, and didnt do anything. Nevertheless, before I try to find someone who really does know something, does anyone else with a Cummins have experience with oil collecting on the bottom of the engine (oil pan, trans, etc)? I have not seen oil spots on the driveway, but whenever you are under the truck, there is oil accumulated on the bottom of the engine.
I have looked at another Cummins Dodge and it was dry at 10000 miles. So should I be worried, or is this not unusual? Thanks, Al in Va.
2004.5 Dodge 3500 QC, long bed,DRW, 48RE auto, 3.73LS rear, 5.9HO CTD,4WD,Laramie,B&W turnover ball&Companion 5W hitch,XM radio, Jordan 2020, RDS 60 gal aux tank&tool box,
2004 Excel 32SKW,triple slide&awnings, Roto-chocks, raised with springs over axles.
Al in Va wrote: I have looked at another Cummins Dodge and it was dry at 10000 miles. So should I be worried, or is this not unusual? Thanks, Al in Va.
That's what you should see. Ours has about 50k with no oil. Bypass the dealer. Email Cummins and Chrysler with your situation.
Mine has a little "catch bottle" on the bottom of the breather tube. Every oil change there is about 1 - 2 oz of oil in it (~6000 miles worth). I know 1 to 2 oz of oil can make a huge mess. I know that oil in the catch bottle is considered normal.
I'd go back to the dealer, and ask for a copy of the work order, and find out exactly what they "changed" then post a question over at dieseltruckresource.com. There are a few technicians that post over there, and they can help you out. Oh, and... find a different dealer. That one sounds a little shady...
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY
Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, rail press & Trans Temp PICS Collision Reconstructionist, CDR (automotive "black box") download technician/analyst
I used to own a 1996 Dodge CTD, and really loved the way it towed. Anyway, It always had a few drops of oil on the breather tube outlet, and the end was always wet. The Cummins didn't stop using oil until about 87K miles, and that was only after I made an extended trip from Indiana to California and back, from June to mid-August. Upon my return I asked my son-in-law, a shop manager for Estes trucking, why my engine stopped using oil. He said it was I finally worked the engine hard enough to fully seat the rings complete the break-in period. The engine went from using 1qt in 1,000 miles to reaching the "add" mark at 3,000 miles which is changing time. The breather tube continued to be wet, but I never noticed any drops after that trip.
Go to Dave Fritz's Ram Page for much more information, technical data, and experience from Cummins owners.
Al
sounds normal. I've had a 1st gen a 2nd gen and a 3rd gen as yours and all had a oil stain on the bottom of the engine from the vent tube but never had a oil drip on the garage floor. Our 3rd gen HPCR engine crankcase vent tube has no catch bottle as ib516 described on the 2nd gen engine. Sound like the dealer milking some warranty pay from Dodge.
JIM
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
I guess I should add that I always check my oil level, and have never had to add any..ever. Even when running synthetic oil, or when towing hard in the mounatins.
Actually, the catch bottle seems to have more liquid in it in the winter. I suspect some of that is condensation that gets evaporated out of the oil, works its way out as water vapour, then collects in the catch bottle when it hits the cold air and condenses.
I have heard several stories like this, but all have been on 4WDs and lots of them turned out to be the front diff input shaft seal leaking and throwing oil, making people believe the breather tube was culprit.
Check the oil that is being blown around, if it is still pretty clean and sticky, it's gear oil; dark black and thin, then it's the breather.
Offline
