2007 C15 blowby concern

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Dave1837, Dec 18, 2019.

  1. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I run a 2007 379 short hood with a C15 625 twin. Last night I parked at a Flying J and let it idle all night, usually I don't cause I have a bunk heater but I didn't want my fuel to gel overnight. When I did my pre-trip in the AM I noticed about a 3 inch diameter puddle of oil underneath of the blowby tube which I've never noticed before. Could this mean big problems? If it's idling for a longer period of time I always bump it up to about 800 rpms, I idled 900 all night. The truck has 888,342 miles and the engine was overhauled around 310k according to the sticker. It was ran pretty hard that day grossing 79.5 across 200 miles of 9% grades but I rarely run it over 1,650 rpms so it's not like I beat the #### out of it
     
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  3. CountryBumkin

    CountryBumkin Bobtail Member

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    My guess is that you have had some blow by for a while - but have not sat still long enough in the same spot with engine running to see any noticeable accumulation on the ground. How much oil do you typically use? Any change in oil consumption since that night?
     
  4. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    It probably wouldn’t take much more than a teaspoon full of oil to make a 3” circle over a ten hour break.
     
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  5. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I've never had to add oil to it and I've driven about 30,000 miles since I was issued this truck. It's always stayed slightly above the full line on the dipstick. My dad's 475 used to blow smoke like crazy and his head gasket just recently went. He'd have to add about a gallon every 2 weeks or so depending on how much he idled. I always joked with him saying mine was a better engine since it didn't smoke or use oil
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I kinda think 900 is a little low for running an extended period in the cold. Could just be slobber. Personally I like to see an engine run at 1,000-1,200 RPM.
     
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  7. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I thought about kicking it up to a grand but I didn't know if that would be excessive, I'm still a rookie driver. I did idle around 1,100 one morning and all of a sudden I heard my Jake kick on and the rpms shot down. The cruise shut off after about 20 mins. Now when I run my blower or compressor while unloading a tank I have to stick a bolt between my throttle and the bottom of my dash to keep it running around 1,200 lol
     
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  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    You won't hurt anything running it at 1,200. The inherent issue with diesel engines is they just don't produce enough heat at low RPMs in cold temperatures. Then you end up with incomplete combustion and if its bad enough, diesel will start to wash the cylinder walls. Eventually that excess diesel ends up past the rings and into the oil. When you bump up the idle speed, the cylinders are firing more often, which makes more heat and allows better fuel combustion.

    One thing you don't want to do with an engine that has ran with no load overnight is to load it up right away. If there's any fuel slobber from the injectors, the rapid increase in combustion heat can coke up the tips. Best to take it easy on the throttle the first 5 minutes or so to let that little bit of excess burn off first.
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2019
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  9. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I'm easy with it when it's cold, I'll let it idle however it wants for a little when I first start it then I'll kick it up to get it warmed up more. I take good care of this truck and engine and don't run it hard I'm just hoping that the oil leakage isn't a big issue. If the engine ends up needing rebuilt they'll probably stick me in an aero cab with a Paccar engine...
     
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