Burped oil
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Freshman User
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Burped oil
I just did injectors and glow plugs over Christmas weekend. The truck was in dire need. Everything went smooth enough and I’ve got about 750 miles on them now. Forgot to plug the truck in last night and was sure it wouldn’t fire up in this 11 degree weather. Started up with no hesitation! Heck of a change from needing to plug it in on 65 degree days. So I go in and drink a cup of coffee while the truck’s warming up. I can hear it idle up like normal. I go out to leave and notice a puddle of oil under it. Maybe a 12” diameter puddle. Not a huge amount of oil by any means, but it ain’t normal. I opened the hood and can see no discernible leaks. I can’t tell you when it happened, but it wasn’t leaking when I got out there. So I’m assuming it was more of an “event” than a continuous thing. It landed under the front of the motor. About in line with the HPOP. Truck runs fine, I can see no real effect from this. But I know a truck ejecting oil isn’t normal. What should I be keeping my eye on? Or, any ideas as to what might have caused this?
thanks a bunch.
thanks a bunch.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Well done on the injector swap and the cold morning start!
Are you sure the leak wasn't the oil cooler area and stopped leaking after it warmed up a bit? The front mounting surface for the oil cooler is just behind the driver side water pump and power steering pump, which is kind of below the HPOP reservoir depending on how sideways you look at it.
Are you sure the leak wasn't the oil cooler area and stopped leaking after it warmed up a bit? The front mounting surface for the oil cooler is just behind the driver side water pump and power steering pump, which is kind of below the HPOP reservoir depending on how sideways you look at it.
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That sounds like a good possibility. Saw a little oil around the water pump area.
what should my plan of attack be? This hasn’t ever happened before. Just keep an eye on this being a reoccurring issue?
what should my plan of attack be? This hasn’t ever happened before. Just keep an eye on this being a reoccurring issue?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
If you cannot get to the repair soon, continue to plug the truck in. That will heat the coolant and hopefully keep the o-rings expanded enough to maintain a seal.
Our 7.3L PSD Tech Folder has 2 write-ups on this procedure. There are dozens of YouTube videos as well. First order of business should be to verify that is in fact the leak point.
Our 7.3L PSD Tech Folder has 2 write-ups on this procedure. There are dozens of YouTube videos as well. First order of business should be to verify that is in fact the leak point.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,348
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
No worries, I just got to your question before many, many other helpful FTE'rs. This is a very common leak spot on the 7.3L, especially after 20 years.
Let us know what you find and if you have any other concerns.
One of our FTE'rs used a long pipe clamp for woodworking to squeeze the two ends back together. Some use straps and some are "built" enough to use their body weight. Some go together quite easily when you use an assembly lube of some sort, others will fight you tooth and nail.
I helped a friend reseal his oil cooler a year or so ago, not a big or difficult job, just a bit tedious at times.
Let us know what you find and if you have any other concerns.
One of our FTE'rs used a long pipe clamp for woodworking to squeeze the two ends back together. Some use straps and some are "built" enough to use their body weight. Some go together quite easily when you use an assembly lube of some sort, others will fight you tooth and nail.
I helped a friend reseal his oil cooler a year or so ago, not a big or difficult job, just a bit tedious at times.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 219
From: Northwest
Human nature is to "think the worst"..... Look for the simplest thing..... Loose oil filter, drain plug, brittle hose or line that got jostled during repairs, leaking gasket, etc.....
Top off the engine oil with something extra like a Lucas product.... Those engines like "warm" during the winter...
Best of luck,
Hobo
Top off the engine oil with something extra like a Lucas product.... Those engines like "warm" during the winter...
Best of luck,
Hobo
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