Unknown Opening in Top of Engine

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

So I just bought a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT with the 5.9 V8, and I've never owned a dodge before, but I'm curious about this opening in the top of the engine. I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge, but I've only very recently gotten into working on trucks. I've attached a picture of what I'm talking about.

Now I'm not the most experienced wrencher, but should this not be covered somehow?

crazykid1994 · Mar 16, 2017

Take a picture farther away. Is that passenger side?

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WilliamS · Mar 16, 2017

very likely to be a breather.

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

Update

I'm not sure. Here's a further pic. Could you briefly explain what a breather is?

WilliamS · Mar 16, 2017

jalbin said:
I'm not sure. Here's a further pic. Could you briefly explain what a breather is?

stops pressure from building up in the heads. Needed for proper oil flow. If it were blocked the pressure in the cover could prevent oil making it up the heads. Usually 1 will go to the intake path to apply a slight amount of vac, most cases it will have filter or some type of cap on them.

Google crankcase breather for your motor.

crazykid1994 · Mar 16, 2017

Nope. Breather is there. Take a pic of the other side too

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jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

Other Side

This is what the other side looks like...

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

Yes, the original picture is the passenger side.

Wise · Mar 16, 2017

Looks like it was used for a push in style breather cap

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

If so, do I need to cover it? Install a new breather or something? I also have a small oil leak that I haven't started looking for. Could that be it?

Wise · Mar 16, 2017

Yes it needs to be covered just stop by an auto zone or whatever you have around you and get a push in style breather cap since it's not cut out to fit a regular oil cap

Wise · Mar 16, 2017

Some come cut out for two caps with two punch outs for a pcv and breather

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

Awesome, thank you for the help. I found it on the Autozone website for like $5.

Wise · Mar 16, 2017

No problem depending on what style you go with you may need a rubber grommet for the valve cover side for it to push into. Also to answer your question yes this could be the source of your small oil leak if it's in the same area.

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

So other than cramming this sucker in there, is there anything else that needs be done? It looks like it has a place for tubing on the outside of it. It doesn't need to be run like the PCV valve?

Wise · Mar 16, 2017

What does the hose run to

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

No hose, the breather cap from Autozone just has little outlet on it. I wasn't sure if you had to put anything on there like a hose or a filter or something. Sorry, I have absolutely no knowledge on breathers.

Wise · Mar 16, 2017

No worries they should have several kinds just get one without the inlet for the hose

jalbin · Mar 16, 2017

Sounds good, thank you again very much!

2012Lamarie · Mar 16, 2017

jalbin said:
This is what the other side looks like...

Spot for a push in breather like this. Not this one but like it. https://www.amazon.com/Mota-Perform...04079&sr=8-6&keywords=push+in+breather+filter

Unknown Opening in Top of Engine

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