Small Oil Drip From Intercool Tubes - Diesel Forum

frank101 · 10-12-2004, 05:50 PM

Hello,

I have a 2001 Ford Excursion with the 7.3L diesel. I bought it used and I'm trying to learn everything I can to take care of it properly. It has 50,000 miles on it and just yesterday I noticed a couple of small drops of oil on my driveway. I looked underneath and saw that the tube that says cool side of the intercooler is all damp with oil. Is this normal? I'm just learning so I'm being cautious. The tube says it contains oil residue but is it the same as containing small amounts of oil? The dealer says it's most likely under warranty but they have a $100.00 deductable after you have 36,000 miles. Please help someone.

CHPMustang · 10-12-2004, 09:10 PM

Yup it's normal unfortunately. The crankcase gases(oil vapors) are vented into the air intake which is just past where the air filter is on the bottom side of the tube.

The oil vapors coat the air intake/charge tubes,the intercooler,thru the turbo and right into the engine.
Worst case scenario is with enough oil soaked into the boots and throttling into it a boot can pop off and that could set off a chain reaction of events.

It's a mess,I been there with two 1999 Superduties.

It's the way Ford & Navistar designed it.

I modified my CCV so the oil vapors no longer enter the engine but rather the outside and away from the engine.No more oily boots and a better performing engine!!

BILL

frank101 · 10-12-2004, 10:36 PM

Thank you very much for the info. The dealer did not want to tell me if it was normal or not. They wanted me to pay the $100.00 deductable for them to check it out. I was affraid of paying it for nothing. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

dmftoy1 · 10-13-2004, 06:46 AM

Well ideally they would take everything apart and clean it for you, but the odds are they'll wipe the oil off and take your $100. There are quite a few different approaches to this issue. If you do a search in the "upgrades" section on CCV Mod you'll find a ton of reading. I"ve put on a Racor CCV 3550 and so far I'm very happy with it. (only been on for 7k so far)

Have a good one,
Dave

BDS · 10-13-2004, 07:41 AM

I have an 01and a 96 that obviously have the same problem. It seams to me that the 01 does it a little worse(drips on the floor) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

I first tried to fab up my own ccv mod into a can with a large ccv gas engine (valve cover push in) style in the top of the can. Then I vented the can with another hose down under the truck. It worked great at idle but I drove it 5 miles and the turbo o-rings started to leak [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I guess the mod I did didn't relieve enough cc pressure.
So I removed it and tried the "open" system hose trick and didn't like the puffs of smoke at idle and the smell in the cab with the window down.

I was currious if the Cummins style CCV canister with steel wool inside would work good on ours? My friend says it works great on his Cummins. When it starts to drip he removes the canister and cleans it out then replaces the steel wool.

I feel the Racor thing is ALOT of $$$. So far I have $15.00 in trial and error spent so I have a long way to go untill I give up (Just my couple of pennies worth)

Sorry I'm *****ing!

Brent.

CHPMustang · 10-13-2004, 03:46 PM

The dealers always want to make a buck like anyone else [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Knowledge is key [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

CHPMustang · 10-13-2004, 03:56 PM

BDS,I routed the CCV vent tubing to the right above the engine exhaust tip,never smell a thing from it.

Tailgate · 10-14-2004, 09:57 AM

BIG QUESTION: Where do you see the oil dripping from?

The reason I ask is I've had a problem pretty much since Day 1 with 2000 Ex with a very slight oil drip that reveals itself on the transmission plate right next to the Oil Pan. It's only a few drops a day, but I've had it into Ford shops multiple times and each time they've said things like "We replaced the intercoolers," and "It was a HPOP hose leaking," etc. But even after I get it back, I still get those few drops a day.

Is this where the blow-by gasses/oil from the intercooler shows up? I'm about to take the truck back in AGAIN, and don't want to waste my time if this is the likely problem.

CHPMustang · 10-14-2004, 10:06 AM

Tailgate,the HPOP on our Excursion has the same minor 1 drop a day,probably just needs the hose or O-Rings.

I gotta take our truck over to Prestige Truck Shop and see when they can do it as the warranty is out next June.

The Oil vapors produced from the CCV goes completely through the engine and out the exhaust.

frank101 · 10-14-2004, 11:02 AM

I noticed the tube that says cold side where it connects to the first boot. The bottom side of the boot is all wet and drips almost sraight down.

CHPMustang · 10-14-2004, 12:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I noticed the tube that says cold side where it connects to the first boot. The bottom side of the boot is all wet and drips almost sraight down.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeap! That's the effects of Oil fumes/vapors produced from the CCV venting into the air induction/charge system [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img]

Makes a mess eh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]