I just bought a truck with a 2018 Cummins ISL 8.9. It has 9000 hours on the engine and I originally thought the engine was healthy but now I’m concerned I have excessive blow by. I have no other symptoms or power loss. Truck works fine. I’m just trying to decide how much life I have before I need a rebuild. I’ll only use it for a 20 to 30 hours a month. Attached is a video. Do the 8.9 ISL tend to have a bit more blow by ? Since the oil fill cap is on the top of the valve cover it seems like blow by appears worse than other engines where the oil fill is mounted on the side of the engine? When the cap is inserted un threaded into the hole, it dances quite a bit, but for some reason, actually stops dancing in the hole at high idle. I do have visible white puffs of what appear to be vapor that disappears very quickly that may or may not be visible on the video. I realize there is definitely blow by, I just want to know if it appears to be excessive. Thanks!
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Excessive blow by on Cummins 8.9 isl ?
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Rhav, Nov 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM.
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Run it.
The engine will throw faults for higher than normal crankcase pressure at a progressive level. As in moderate severe then most severe.
Might consider a new CCV filter for good measure.BoxCarKidd Thanks this. -
Ok great thanks for the reply. I didn’t know there is a crankcase pressure sensor. That gives me some confidence.
When I change the CCV filter can I take pressure reading off the CCV port with a manometer just as a baseline ? -
Sure you can.
I think Cummins manometer connected at the road draft tube with an orifice. Easier to just hook up to the truck and monitor the pressure. You really need to see it under load anyhow.Big Road Skateboard Thanks this. -
I really appreciate the advice. I’m not familiar with the road draft tube. Any advice how to locate that ?
From what I read , I need to be under 3” h20 on the manometer ? -
The road draft will be the larger tube that dumps out the bottom from the CCV filter. Should be driver side rear of the engine by the starter.
Put your ESN in QSOL and follow blow bye measuring in the service manual. -
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Great. Will do! Thanks again for the advice!
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If you just bought the truck, change the oil & filter. Irregardless of what the previous owner may claim what brand and weight of engine oil & filter they used, figure the P.O. used the cheapest available. Use a brand, and weight that YOU want, and what YOU are most comfortable with. Will this solve the issue? maybe not, but will know, it most likely will not be an ‘oil breakdown’ concern.
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