ilovefords31

I have a 1986 f150 with a 4.9, with 64,000 miles. I have recently replaced the breather with a after market type that goes inside the air filter and now with the cold weather, after taking a trip long enough to warm the engine, steam is rising into the tube connected to the valve cover, and then cooling and condensing. So now there is water going into the valve cover and I don't know how to stop it. I am getting the foamy oil on the oil cap, and other parts of the valve cover. I stuffed some absorbent filter paper into the hose connector in hopes that the steam will collect onto that instead, but it is most probable that it is restricting the air flow. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if I should just let the water go into the engine or if there is anything else I could do? Also this last oil change to save some money I put conventional oil in the truck. Im told it is worse because the part synthetic oils help with keeping the condensation off the metal parts, and conventional oil does not. Also I don't drive far enough to burn off the condensation either. I wish I could, but I live in a small town. The furthest I ever need to go is around 14 miles. Could really use some opinions here as I have invested a fortune in this truck and it would be a shame if condensation destroys the critical parts of the engine now.

Johnboy429bbf

What was the oe breather?

ilovefords31

Here's a link to a pic of the original and then another link to the one I replaced it with.


Original Equip http://www.theautopartsshop.com/sear...h=HAS/CB36.jpg

Replacement http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...293&cc=1121656

1967 Tempest

The bottom is NOT a replacement part!!!!!!

The top one goes into the valve cover and the bottom one goes into the air filter housing. Then a hose from the orange one to the back one, from your pictures.

I am looking but I do not see the bottom one on Rock Auto. You might need to replace it with an elbow.

ilovefords31

Tempest that is what I have an elbow going to a hose then going to the air cleaner. But condensation drips out of the elbow. I think the original has something that cuts down on the condensation. Because it is closed on the bottom and has cuts on the side, so any condensation would get into it, but sit there until the engine is run again and suck it to the air cleaner. The way it is setup with the after market, it just allows the condensation to drip into the valve cover and mix into the oil. This is a major problem if you take short drives, which I do, and I was hoping someone could help me with some ideas of how to catch the condensation.

ilovefords31

So far I have done the following, but I am not sure if it is working. I purchased some filter paper, and rolled it semi loosely to the size of the opening in the elbow connection and pushed it in there up to the angle. Then I put a fishnet cloth around the elbow to make sure the homemade filter does not fall into the valve cover. Not sure how well it is working but I cannot think of anything else to do.

JayzDaddy

Just remove it all and go buy a closed breather for the valve cover.

JayzDaddy

This is what i changed mine to.

JayzDaddy

Grand total $18 for breather and air cleaner.

1967 Tempest

I like that idea. I am going to swap mine to that in the spring. I am going to plug all of the vacuum leaks to the air cleaner as well. I think that is half of my issue with emissions failures...


In the beginning of this video you can see my air cleaner and air breather set up. But I would go with Jayz's idea.


Jayz: Got a PN etc for the breather and air cleaner for reference?

Dave