Hi All,

Just found this neat forum and did some cruising through previous posts to gather some great info. I would like to get some further clarification though.

I am a diesel newbie and want to make sure I don't mask anything my truck is "telling" me before something big (bad) happens.

I have a 1999-early F350 with 113K miles, everything stock.

It has a "small" oil leak coming from the right (standing in front of truck) intercooler boot closest to the turbo (ie. top of pipe).

It isn't enough oil to create any puddles (in valley or drips to ground) just enough to make grim on metal pipe from turbo area into the boot and below.

After wiping the pipe (and other areas) and driving about 3 hours down the highway there was enough new leak on the pipe to create a visible "trail" a couple inches long.

There is no smoke out the tail when driving and just a little white/blue puff at starting up.

From previous posts, I understand that the crankcase is vented into the intake and I should expect "some" oil in there. And also that the boots don't stand up very well to oil (interesting design if oil is expected).

My question is;
1) How can I determine if the source of the oil is CCV or a turbo seal giving out?

I figured I would ask before tightening the clamps t potentially "hide" it. I really don't want to be on the road with my family hauling the trailer if the turbo seal gives out. (Bad weekend fun)

Thanks so much for all your insights and expertise !!!!

 

I recently took my 01 PSD Ex to the dealer for oil leak. They determined it was coming from intercooler clamp and tightened the clamps. Told me to occassionally do this myself. No big deal. Tighten the clamps and roll on.

 

the ccv dumps into the intake before the turbo. oil residue on the inside of the intercooler tubes is normal. take the boot off clean it and the tube with some simple green and put it back on, get it good and tight. you may also want to tighten the rest of the clamps on the other boots as well.

 

My wife gets onto me all the time for the little drips under my PSD. I chased leaks at the boots forever, tried new boots, tried double-clamping them, tightening them, etc. Nothing worked for long.

Finally, out of exasperation, I installed a Racor CCV system. Haven't had a drop of oil for nearly 15K.

I guess the moral of the story is that getting the oil out of the crankcase gases works better than just tightening up the boots...

A lot of folks vent the crankcase gases out through a tube, as well. Much cheaper than the racor unit.

 

colocamper, i just noticed you are from broomfield, i am a few miles east in brighton

 

All,

Thanks for the responses. Makes me wonder how much oil is sitting in the bottom of the intercooler. Anybody ever take one out and set it on its side for awhile?

I have been thinking about the CCV mod but haven't tried it since some posters haven't cared for the "aroma". Not sure I would either (and know my wife wouldn't). Racor could be a nice compromise, good idea.

wlihntr, I know that area pretty well. Used to live in Lafayette for a lot of years and have poked around Brighton and Ft. Lupton. From your pic your truck looks sweet. Will keep an eye out for it on the road. :-)

 

Just replaced my intercooler with a better flowing one on my 01, there was a little residue in the tubes and intercooler but no build up. Before I replace the whole intercooler I use a little bit of RTV on the inside of the boots to seal it. It did the job, but when I went to take it off the RTV made it a little tuff.

 

Just a little warning in case no one has told you. When you change your Fuel filter be sure and flip the little yellow handle on the left front corner of the fuel filter assy. If you don't eventually it will corrode through and it cost $1000.00 to replace the assy. I learned that one the hard way.

Broomfieldbum

 

$1000.00 For what assembly? the fuel filter Assembly?

 

Yep, Fuel filter assy and Fuel pump. Both were taken out by not opening the valve.

Broomfieldbum

 

Welcome to FTE colocamper. Glad you found us.

Several years (4 or 5) back we had a member remove and drain his CAC overnight just to see how much oil was in there. If I remember correctly he was near 100K miles and got just a little over 1 teaspoon out of it. Not really much to worry about volume wise, but since it will eventually coat the entire inner surface of the cooler my concern became cooler efficency. That's why I rerouted mine.

Some general boot maintenance that works for me. I clean the boots and tubes with simple green, then before reassembly I give the inside of the boots a little shot of the wife's hairspray.....It's got excellent adhesion, but doesn't make them too difficult to remove.