My '04 Dodge has what appears to be an overflow tube comming out of the side of the engine block towards the back on the drivers side. What is that for? I have a small oil spot on my garage floor from it. Am I leaking oil after only 4000 miles?

If the tube is towards the back of the engine, it is the "blow-by" tube. It relieves pressure in the crankcase. If it is in the middle of the engine, it is probably the fuel filter houseing drain tube. More than likely it is the blow-by tube, at 4000 miles your rings aren't seated yet and some compression is getting into the crankcase which will cause some oil spotting. I wouldn't worry about it.

dwj1, I too had this problem. Built a brand new house, 2 months later bought my Dodge Cummins, and started noticing little oil drips all over the drive way. Pi$$ed me off pretty bad, when I found out that it was normal. It is the crank case blow by tube. To fix it I bought 6 ft of 3/4 heater hose at the local auto store for $5, and a clamp. The hose fits perfectly over that blow by tube, put a clamp on it to hold it snug. Then I used zip ties and ran the heater hose down the inside side of my frame. No more oil drips.

djp9747 I dont dnow where you live , but in severe cold, condensaition can freeze in your extension hose causing presure to build in crank case. It happened to Scotty on the DTR forum. Post (possible blown engine seals). Just a heads up for everyone.

Give it time..... I parked mine outside in the gravel until I had about 5000 miles on it. Noticed a few drips in that spot. Since then I haven't had any problems.

All you need to do is get an empty Excedrine headache medicine bottle and slip it over the end. It's a tight enouge fit to stay on.

Peterbuilt, nice tip. The harley riders do the same thing for their oil blow-by going in the air cleaner. A friend rode his sportster with me and his right leg was covered in oil until he got the bottle fix. I told him that at least his leather britches were not dried out due to lack of leather treatment.

As far as getting an extra hose for the oil drip and putting it some where else, I just watched a buddy of mine do it, it got cold out side, water ended up in the after market tube he put on, and it blocked it. Smoked very bad, and ended up blowing a turbo seal due to lack of lube and crank back pressure. I would leave it alone. Some times factory stuff is the best. I deal with my oil spots. Let me know what you think.

I agree and have left mine alone. Although I think you could use the bottle trick, and add a breather hole near the top of the bottle in case so there wouldn't be any pressure. My driveways have never been pretty enough to worry about a couple of drips.