2004 4.3L oil leaks from crankcase vent tubes

[smassey22180]

Just bought a 2004 w/ the 190hp 4.3L. I am getting a little oil on the top of both of my valve covers. The crankcase vents are black plastic tubes that go up to the flame arrestor. The tubes go into right angle fittings that have grommets in the valve covers. What do I need to change to stop the leaks? I think it is either the grommet or the black plastic tube.

thanks

 

[alldodge]

Just bought a 2004 w/ the 190hp 4.3L. I am getting a little oil on the top of both of my valve covers. The crankcase vents are black plastic tubes that go up to the flame arrestor. The tubes go into right angle fittings that have grommets in the valve covers. What do I need to change to stop the leaks? I think it is either the grommet or the black plastic tube.

thanks

You might need to rebuild the engine. What's going on is you have blow-by around the piston rings or your valve guides are worn or valve seals are shot. How many hours are on the motor and is it fresh or salt water?

 

[Rick Stephens]

I would think if you had blow-by that the flame arrestor would be oily, not the top of the valve covers. You can easily get valve cover grommets for a Vortec engine from local auto parts. Softer ones might just get rid of the oily mess.

 

[smassey22180]

I would think if you had blow-by that the flame arrestor would be oily, not the top of the valve covers. You can easily get valve cover grommets for a Vortec engine from local auto parts. Softer ones might just get rid of the oily mess.

Ok thanks. To be clear this is not blow by. The flame arrestor is clean. The oil is on top of the valve covers and not running down the tubes. I will start with the Vortec grommets. Thanks for the tip.

 

[alldodge]

Ok thanks. To be clear this is not blow by. The flame arrestor is clean. The oil is on top of the valve covers and not running down the tubes. I will start with the Vortec grommets. Thanks for the tip.

Sure hope you and Rick are right. The valve covers should have a plate which keeps oil from being splashed into the tubes. If the plates are there the tubes can only get oily if air/combustion gasses are being pushed up through the path of least resistance.