Missing oil mystery?

[amaurer]

I just checked the oil on my 3B for the first time in about 1500kms, I was down almost 2 quarts!! Funny thing is, I don't know where it went!

-I know my compression is good, (~395-400), I'd be a little surprised if the oil rings were shot given that the rest seems fine, but maybe I'm dumb.

-I don't drip any oil, but there are a number of parts (front main seal or front of oil pan, can't tell which) that keep themselves soaked.

-I don't smoke blue at all. The engine doesn't seem any smellier after sitting for a while.

The question is, could I lose 2 quarts from seal leaks while driving, even without seeing drops in the garage???

Also, when do you check your oil? Hot or cold, idling or running? I find my readings can vary quite a bit depend on when I check.

 

[UpsideDown]

it takes about 7.5 litres to fill a 3b. You should check it after it has been sitting - engine off - for a few minutes.

It's normal to use a litre or so between oil changes. If you're really looking for missing oil, then check your vacuum reservoir - there is a drain plug on the bj42s that can be used to check for oil.

Hth, john

 

[canucksafari]

Hard to say. I had the disappearing oil experience a couple times. The same thing with no blue smoke. I changed a couple things. One, I went back to OEM oil filters or Fleetguard becuase they both have the the anti-drainback valve. I have two filters which lie on their sides, so it makes a big difference. I also always allow the engine to run for at least 5-10 minutes and then shut down and wait 5 minutes or fill with fuel and then check. Also, try to make sure you are on dead level ground. With my rig a little slant can make a big difference on the dip stick.

Of course it could be bad news and your front main seal is shot. Hope not. Try keeping a regular eye on it - check a couple times a week or every few hundred kms. Ivf it is the front main seal, don't delay in replacing it. Just like fresh oil and filters, seals are cheap - rebuilds aren't.

 

[amaurer]

well I went out to see what I could see under there; the front main seal is my area of concern. The front 2" of the pan were moist with oil, but not neccesarily soaked with fresh stuff.

There were a couple drips hanging from the front pan bolts so I tried to snug up the pan bolts. None of them were tight, some were quite loose. In fact I couldn't get any of them to torque to 13ftlbs per the engine manual, the gasket started to squeeze out from the pan and I got nervous before reaching the proper torque and stopped. The gasket that poked out was black and obviously slippery, I think I've got a leak there for sure, but I can't say for sure if its that or the front main seal.

Sooo. Any thoughts? How much fun is replacing the pan gasket? What about the front main? Which sounds like the problem?

 

[canucksafari]

Bet it is the gasket/gasket maker RV sealant. Not sure which is worse to do on your truck. To be sure, degrease and keep a close eye on it before pulling things apart. You should be able to see where the oil is coming from if you retorquing did not solve the oil weep.

 

[amaurer]

Is the 3B oil pan gasket cork or rubber? I found aftermarket pan gaskets for $7, or SOR has OEM for more. Does it matter?

 

[canucksafari]

Is the 3B oil pan gasket cork or rubber? I found aftermarket pan gaskets for $7, or SOR has OEM for more. Does it matter?

So it is not the frfont main seal?

For the pan, I'd use black RV silcon seal gasket maker and forget the factory pan gasket. Just be careful not to put too much on and make sure the mating surfaces are nice and clean (clean with brake cleaner to remove all oil residue). Careful not to put on so much that it can squeeze out to the sides. Follow the directions on the tube. This is an overnight job. Let the RV set-up overnight and then torque to specs the next morning.

 

[eleblanc]

Post good pictures and you will get a good free inspection!

 

[Granite Grinder]

I'd use form in place gasket silicone for the pan. The front seal isn't hard to replace, just a bit of a PIA to get to. You should be able to use a seal puller or Ciaran uses a couple of small screwdrivers. Use the old seal to press in the new seal.
GG

 

[lostmarbles]

......when do you check your oil? Hot or cold, idling or running? .....

Always with the engine off ---- and better still -------- after it has been left sitting overnight too.

I would imagine that checking it "while idling after a cold start" would account for as much as a 2 quart drop in oil level (because that is the amount likely to be sloshing around in the upper reaches of your engine at that time).

Edit -later same day---- Hmmmm. Perhaps I exaggerated a bit here. 2 quarts would be rather a lot... (- But I standby my statement that it will certainly be difficult to get a reading on the dipstick with the engine running.)

I like to check my oil after it has sat overnight because at that time the level mark is the most "distinct" on the dipstick. (Black oil on the dipstick up to a point beyond-which the dipstick looks almost perfectly clean.)

I'm always keen to make life easier for myself

 

[code 621]

I got a cork one from 4 wheel auto and put a thin coat of the blue gasket materal on both sides. Did this back in January and no visable leeks. Side cover gasket too.The passenger side of my engin was CAKED! Now its almost clean.

 

[amaurer]

pic, haven't cleaned anything yet.

 

[PressOn]

I used the same recipe as Code 621's, cork with a thin layer of blue RTV between the block and cork when I pulled my pan. (Thank you mud post whoever it was). I knew a rebuild was in the near future and it made for easy removal and reuse. Any how, that was 10,000 miles ago and it is holding well even after the rebuild.

Jeff

 

[crushers]

pre85 uses cork gasket, after 85 is just silicone.

looks like front engine seal but not 2 litres worth...
fill back up properly and drive another 1500 km and then check again

 

[Joe Egolf]

check oil

In the am before starting and on a level surface. That pic sure looks like pan gasket leaks to me.

 

[lostmarbles]

In the am before starting and on a level surface. That pic sure looks like pan gasket leaks to me.

Or the front seal.

I'd fix all leaks (especially ones that look as bad as that one) before considering the possibility that you're burning the oil Drew.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Looks more like seepage than leakage. If you had lost 2 quarts through there,the oil pn would be covered.
Fixing them wont hurt though

 

[crushers]

Rosco
my point exactly

 

[amaurer]

It looks like it the front seal, I found oil on top of the pan lip. I'll add that to the todo list.

However, I agree it'd be amazing if I lost two quarts there, I'm fairly sure I didn't. How would I know if I need new valve guide seals? Could I lose 2 quarts there? Am I right in not suspecting my oil rings based ona good compression test?

 

[crushers]

if you lost 2 quarts through the valve seals you would be burning blue quite a bit...