863 Turbo sooting up filters and engine bay

[risctaker]

Hey!. New guy on the forum here. My 863 Turbo (3600 hrs) is running fine. No smoke from the exhaust but the air filter (larger of the 2) is getting full of oily soot after only about 50 hours. Also the inside of the engine bay is getting a film of the same stuff. Since the engine doen't smoke when used where is this stuff coming from? I have to change the filters very often until I find a solution. Any insight would be appreciated.

Steve

 

[RickB]

Cracked pipe between the exhaust manifold and muffler.

 

[risctaker]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the response. OK, I'll take a look for that. Engine doesn't sound noisier though. Wouldn't a crack in that spot make the exhaust louder?

 

[brain55]

I agree, cracked flex pipe. The noise level doesn't change much, unless it gets really seperated.

Brian

 

[Redneck in training]

Is the crankcase vented to the air filter? You might have a piston blow by throwing oil mist to the filter.

 

[brain55]

Is the crankcase vented to the air filter? You might have a piston blow by throwing oil mist to the filter.

Diesel engine crankcases are never vented to the air filter. If you did that, the engine would run on crankcase vapors and you would not be able to shut it off.

Brian

 

[Redneck in training]

Diesel engine crankcases are never vented to the air filter. If you did that, the engine would run on crankcase vapors and you would not be able to shut it off.

Brian

Thanks. There is always something new to learn.

 

[risctaker]

Thanks ALL for your responses. I also called the local Bobcat dealer and he came to the same conclusion: cracked flexpipe. My NEXT question is: is this a "DYI" job. I'm mechanical capable as far as engine externals go, If I buy the part from Bobcat, can I replace it without losing too much skin off the knuckles??

 

[brain55]

It should be doable. A couple of the bolts from the flex pipe to the manifold can be tricky. I use an extension and wobble socket or an S-wrench. The muffler end is just a clamp. I usually reuse the old gasket, it is more work to get it off than it is worth and they typically remain intact.

Brian