Excessive oil useage.

[Tom Warner]

Fred I uploaded two drawings of the positive crankcase ventilation on my
Cat 3208 to the files section of the forum so anyone can see them. The vent
directs any oil vapors back into the engine intake. Notice the factory
bulletin that states what will happen if you do not have positive crankcase
ventilation in the other drawing.
I now wonder why the Cat 3208 in the SP36 does not have this positive
ventilation after reading this warning. Does anyone have any idea???

Tom
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY

MAt 04:16 PM 7/7/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>While I would not ignore what you have observed, I would want to know
>more and see if you have a consistent pattern before becoming alarmed.
>
>When I bought my 89SP from the prior owner he told me that the low
>level on the dipstick was at 3 quarts and that I should wait until the
>level dropped to 3 quarts down before topping up. He said that if I
>topped up every quart that I would use a lot more oil. He may have
>picked that information up at a RIV but I do not know for sure. He
>was a retired airline pilot and paid careful attention to the coach so
>I accepted his advice. With 5 gallons in the crankcase, the loss of 3
>quarts is not significant.
>
>I use Rotella 15/40 oil. If you use something other than 15/40 that
>will affect consumption.
>
>My experience has been 3 quarts in 1,300 to 2,500 miles but I would
>want to have a pattern of perhaps 5,000 miles of experience.
>
>Obviously check for leaks. Do some Cat SOS tests on the oil after
>3,000 or more miles (I do mine at 8,000 mile intervals when I change
>the oil) to see what is in the oil. Again you need a pattern to see
>what develops over time.
>
>As to the crankcase breather, it vents to the atmosphere and carries
>oil vapor. Yours sounds stock. The SP had a problem with overheating
>when the oil contaminated vapors passed through the radiator, gathered
>dirt and made the radiator less effective.
>
>I have seen two fixes for this. I think one originated at Holland
>Motor Home where they extended the vent to almost touch the ground (it
>did touch when the suspension was dumped). I think the other came out
>of Fort Valley where they extended the vent to exit below the rear
>bumper. All of this has nothing to do with consumption but more FYI.
> If yours has not been modified you need to modify it and/ or check to
>be sure your radiator is clean
>
>In any event you will find that this tube will show noticeable vapor
>coming out of the engine. If you see that vapor then it is not
>plugged but if it does not vent then pressure may be building in the
>crankcase and causing crankcase pressure to force oil past the rings.
> If so then the canister on the valve cover may need to be serviced.
> I believe it has a mesh inside.
>
>Even if your consumption is high, if your oil tests are OK I would not
>mess with the rings just to cure an oil consumption problem.
>
> Fred Riester
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "williamcharrison"
> wrote:
> > Anyone know any reason (other than bad rings) why a Cat 3208 with 87k
> > on it would use excessive amounts of oil (4qts in 900 miles).
>
>
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