Live with Blowby, or Death Soon ?

[Troubadour52993]

So I'm getting to know the genset on my boat. I know the prime mover is an 1995 Perkins 103-07/Perama M20. After cleaning up the nasty mess in the lazarette where it is mounted, I routed the crankcase breather into a plastic bottle. After running the engine for about 20 hours, I can see a small amount of oil, which I expected. When I hold my finger over the breather with the engine running, it will build up pressure over about 15 seconds, enough that I can feel the air running out when I let my finger off. So, I have some blowby.

Is this something that I should expect in an older engine, and can live with for months or years, or is it a sign that the diesel is on its last legs and will soon give up the ghost if I don't do a rebuild?

[Redcoat]

I have the same problem.I'm looking into a Walker Airsep to solve it.Without puting a ton of money in it.

[djmarchand]

Troubadour:

The blowby that you describe is actually small. If you hold your finger near the crankcase vent and feel pulses of exhaust gas then you have a blowby problem. If you don't and it sounds like you do not, then you will be fine.

There was quite a thread on blowby puke bottles and how to plumb them over on boatdiesel. It will cost you $25 to join and then be able to search old posts, but it will be well worth it.

BTW, they don't think much of Airseps.

David