I had to add some oil to the sdl today, and noticed that I have a TON of blow by. Looks like the exhaust stack off of an old choo-choo. I haven't heard of this on the 603's, am I in for some trouble here?

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My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

You're not in any "trouble" in the sense that the engine will fail anytime soon.

However, the extensive blowby signifies a drop in compression and it might have starting difficulties in the cold. But, then again, it might not.

Not much you can do about it............so, just drive it and see what it's cold starting behavior does.

OK, so follow-up question from Lowriderdog... Anyone know whether it makes any difference what oil you used? Seems like synth multi-weight that goes to 5w would be thinner and exaggerate the blow-by compared to a dyno 15w on the bottom end.

Thoughts?

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar
1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar
2010 Honda Insight Hybrid
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Heavier oil might help some. It probably will not make a lot of difference though.

It is possible that rings are just stuck. My farmer diesel repairing friends swear by using Lucas Oil Treatment to loosten stuck rings. I have tried it several times. I can't say it has worked for me but it all depends on the care and use the car has had in the past. I think it could work for some folks.

I don't think it can hurt.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Check your crankcase breather system, make sure it's working.

Sounds like stuck rings to me also, good fuel and a long highway drive might clear it up.

Someone might have used some Slick50 or another additive and gunked up the rings, be sure you have good oil in the engine.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I use Rotella T (white bottle). I would use blue bottle, but I burn/leak a good bit of oil so it's just not worth the $$$.

I'll change the oil this week...it's coming up on that time anyway. I have always heard that oil additives are a bad thing. Does anybody have a suggested flush agent, cleaning agent, or something like that?

__________________
My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

I don't follow the original post - what's the association between adding oil and observing blow-by? Did you pour oil into the valve cover with the engine running? How did you observe blow-by?

There is a pinhole vent in the valve cover that's part of the ventilation system. I don't know what happens when the vent is plugged but I imagine the engine doesn't manage blow-by gases well without a functioning vent.

Synthetic oil is a pretty good flushing agent. I wouldn't mess with other flushing agents since the hydraulic lifters are so finicky.

Sixto
87 300D

I was adding oil when the engine was running (the light came on). That's when I saw the blowby.

I have 4 gallons of rotella t (blue bottle), maybe I'll use that during the next change.

Where is this vent? Is it something I can get to and clear out?

__________________
My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

Details of the vent are probably in the archives. IIRC, about two thirds of the length of the valve cover from the timing chain there's a hole 1mm in diameter at most. There might be a little oil seeping from the hole to help you find it.

I don't have a manual handy at this time but maybe someone can check on how to test the crankcase ventilation system.

Sixto
87 300D

Wouldn't the crankcase on a 603 vent through that plastic tube that vents from the top (just south of the 710 cap) into the plastic air (intake) tube? Seems like that would be plenty of ventilation and hard to get plugged up.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

You don't wanna add oil while any engine is running!

How do you spell OIL SHOWER!

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Didn't have a problem with that...but I'll keep in mind.

I'm not worried about the ventilation, as much as getting rid of the blowby, or is what you are saying is the lack of ventilation is causing it?

__________________
My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior