[uglyoldbob]

So I am looking for possible sources of an oil leak. I know I have some blowby, and I amm pretty sure it is not burning oil, because it never smokes (except some white smoke on a cold start on a cold day for a couple of seconds). It has leaked 4 quarts in a pretty short interval (not sure of exact mileage, but 500-1000).
I did the CDR test mentioned in a really old thread.
I pulled the dipstick with the engine running. Dipstick tube smokes like a chimney. I pull the oil filler cap, dipstick tube smoke decreases (doesn't stop) signifigantly.
I'm pretty sure this means the CDR needs to be replaced.
Should I also replace all of the vacuum lines at the same time? Most of them are rotted through and not connected because of it. I have the engine manual so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how it should go.
Also, where are the oil cooler lines located? I know they should go the the radiator somewhere and to the engine somewhere.
The air cleaner is brand new.
I have not checked the vacuum pump. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20521&highlight=cdr This thread is talking about the vacuum pump near the firewall on the passenger side and under the air breather right?

Where can I go to have the compression checked? I don't have the proper tool to do it. (I have a compression tester for a gasser, but I'm pretty sure my engine would bust it).
That's the only places I can think of to look for oil leaks.

 

[okeydokey]

oil lines are on the driver fender the go to hard lines that go accross to the passenger side of the radiator, and they go to the back of the block above the oil filter.

 

[High Sierra 2500]

Wow... That is an old thread...

My advice to you... Unless you want to get into a real big project, don't check the compression... ):h You can do it if you can come up with a compression tester that is suitable for diesels (I've heard there are cheap ones on the market), but be aware that what you find will most likely not be an engine with "great" compression. What you will probably find is that the compression is a bit low and the engine is a bit tired. My point is this... Don't be shocked if you find that it is low on compression...

You could try flushing the CDR out... It is supposed to get cleaned every now and then. Just remove it and flush it out with some sort of solvent.

Do you have vacuum operated heater controls? If so, you might as well replace the vacuum hoses while you are in there... Although it isn't really all that important unless you want your heater to work... ):h It is important if you have TH400, though... Those use vacuum to tell the tranny when to shift...

 

[patracy]

Wow... That is an old thread...

My advice to you... Unless you want to get into a real big project, don't check the compression... ):h You can do it if you can come up with a compression tester that is suitable for diesels (I've heard there are cheap ones on the market), but be aware that what you find will most likely not be an engine with "great" compression. What you will probably find is that the compression is a bit low and the engine is a bit tired. My point is this... Don't be shocked if you find that it is low on compression...

You could try flushing the CDR out... It is supposed to get cleaned every now and then. Just remove it and flush it out with some sort of solvent.

Do you have vacuum operated heater controls? If so, you might as well replace the vacuum hoses while you are in there... Although it isn't really all that important unless you want your heater to work... ):h It is important if you have TH400, though... Those use vacuum to tell the tranny when to shift...

Oy! You're telling me!

 

[High Sierra 2500]

Oy! You're telling me!

What?

):h

 

[uglyoldbob]

I would expect the compression to be a bit low given that is has some blowby and that the CDR is probably clogged. What does the inside of the CDR look like? I got plenty of cleaner (old diesel fuel works great) but I gotta find a bit of time to take it off and clean it. When I do that I will also check the oil cooler lines because it is a possible source of my leak (if it is a leak, I'm pretty sure it is though). How do you check the rear main seal for leakage?
Also, I don't think any of the vacuum lines are connected because I think the main ones rotted away before I even got it (and before I knew much about diesels or even this place).

 

[High Sierra 2500]

What does the inside of the CDR look like?

Well, to be honest I never bothered to take one apart, so I don't know... I believe there is some sort of pressure regulator in there. Doesn't much matter. Just flush it right out... Diesel fuel works great, carb cleaner is even better...

How do you check the rear main seal for leakage?

Climb under the truck and look for a black area covered with oil on the back of the oil pan and on the transmission... ):h If it is leaking, you will be able to see it...

Anything that is causing it to lose four quarts in 500-1000 miles is going to be pretty noticeable...