Return from trip- Oil on coach and toad

[majicchuck]

Just returned from vacation. It was great towing the Acadia four down. I really did not notice it behind the motorhome.

The one wrinkle in our trip (outside of a fan belt getting shredded to pieces-thanks to forum members to pointing me in the right direction?) was the considerable oil that covered the back of the coach and toad. Pretty sure this was due to me adding oil after an afternoon stop. Should have waited til the morning to get accurate reading. Definitely learned from this mistake. While at campground, I dumped a good 4 quarts of oil and cleaned radiator. On the way home there was still some blow by but not as much. I know others have recommended putting jar under slogger tube. Prior to all of this I did have a slow leak. I hear that this is not totally uncommon in the C7 but need to get this rectified.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Should I start by emptying oil and changing oil filter?

 

[Utclmjmpr]

A common mistake is to check the oil level too soon after shutting it down,, always what at least 1/2 to 1 hour ,(or better over night)  to allow the oil to "run back" to the pan after shut down.. That is known as "chasing a quart", you keep putting it in and it keeps throwing it out.  Changing the oil won't change the problem.>>>Dan

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

It's also quite possible the dipstick is in error, i.e. the Full mark is in the wrong place. Dipsticks are calibrated to the specific engine installation (the location and routing of the dipstick tube) and  both the factory and subsequent owners or shops have been know to put in an incorrect dipstick. If the engine insists on throwing out oil and running below the Full mark, it's probably the dipstick that is in error.

Yes, I would change the oil filter, so may as well change the oil too. It's only a slim chance, but a clogged oil filter can cause blow-by oil loss. So can a filter that has not sealed correctly, e.g. its rubber gasket is damaged, missing, or even doubled-up (two where one should be).


You have a 2005, right?  Make sure the oil breather tube isn't clogged or kinked, and maybe fasten an old cotton sock over it to capture some of the oil mist. hat's a common trick for rear radiator coaches where the oil fumes/mist from the breather coats the radiator. That's the source of at least some of the blow-by oil.

 

[Utclmjmpr]

The C7 is known to have an engine breather hose that is too short,, an extension lower to the ground or routed differently will help.  You might also want to look into a "Protect a tow",, made in Canada.  I installed one three trips ago and it performs as advertised.>>>Dan

 

[Robert K]

You can call Cat with your engine serial number and get the correct oil amount if your not sure.
That is when you change it,then check dipstick and mark it. I used a file to mark a new line on mine
Caterpillar RV Service Hotline at 877-777-3126.

    Bob

 

[billwild]

Hopefully it is not an engine seal letting go. We had the same symptoms, oil on the back of the coach, and on the toad, and it was an engine seal had let go.


Bill

 

[majicchuck]

It's also quite possible the dipstick is in error, i.e. the Full mark is in the wrong place. Dipsticks are calibrated to the specific engine installation (the location and routing of the dipstick tube) and  both the factory and subsequent owners or shops have been know to put in an incorrect dipstick. If the engine insists on throwing out oil and running below the Full mark, it's probably the dipstick that is in error.

Yes, I would change the oil filter, so may as well change the oil too. It's only a slim chance, but a clogged oil filter can cause blow-by oil loss. So can a filter that has not sealed correctly, e.g. its rubber gasket is damaged, missing, or even doubled-up (two where one should be).


You have a 2005, right?  Make sure the oil breather tube isn't clogged or kinked, and maybe fasten an old cotton sock over it to capture some of the oil mist. hat's a common trick for rear radiator coaches where the oil fumes/mist from the breather coats the radiator. That's the source of at least some of the blow-by oil.

Will be doing oil change and marking dip stick so I have accurate reading going forward.

Yes it?s a 2005 Bounder with a C7. Gary thanks for the tip. I will add sock to the tube. Seems to also be coming through radiator.

 

[majicchuck]

The C7 is known to have an engine breather hose that is too short,, an extension lower to the ground or routed differently will help.  You might also want to look into a "Protect a tow",, made in Canada.  I installed one three trips ago and it performs as advertised.>>>Dan

Got it! Thanks

 

[majicchuck]

You can call Cat with your engine serial number and get the correct oil amount if your not sure.
That is when you change it,then check dipstick and mark it. I used a file to mark a new line on mine
Caterpillar RV Service Hotline at 877-777-3126.

    Bob

)

 

[majicchuck]

Hopefully it is not an engine seal letting go. We had the same symptoms, oil on the back of the coach, and on the toad, and it was an engine seal had let go.


Bill

Bill same here. Although I think a gasket or something is loose. Seeing oil around the bolts. Did not have issue with blow by until I added oil. But still have oil drops when parked. Will get to shop soon to address this leak.

 

[KandT]

Sounds like you are onto the answer but just as an aside, I oil in that pattern when a differential seal was leaking.  Cheap and easy fix on ours.  Did it ourselves but I am not sure about your's. 

 

[Utclmjmpr]

You will have to clean everything that has oil on it and start with short trips until you find the leak/leaks.. Then you know where to start.>>>Dan