Excessive oil useage.

[pattypape]

Thank for the picture Fred,
That's the one, I cleaned the canister not much in it, little dirt
or oil sediment. Wire mesh if, I remember correctly, Like and old
lawn mower or old tractor. Metal mesh, not foam,

Bill 88 FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "fred89sp"
wrote:
> As a further followup on this thread, I have uploaded an excerpt
from
> the Cat book on engine arrangements and a page from the parts book
> showing the crankcase ventilation system on Arrangement No. 7C5208
> which is the 300 HP 3208.
>
> It vents to the atmosphere. The breather is an assembly. I do not
> know what if anything is inside but whatever it is, it does little
or
> nothing to pull oil mist out of the air that is vented. This is,
of
> course, one component of the oil consumption equation.
>
> The moderators should feel free to delete this from the files as it
> has little long term relevance.e.
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
> > 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).
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >