Recently, after taking off the air filter to clean it, I ran my finger around the inside of the manifold and picked up a very thin film of oily soot. I'm experienced with auto petrol engines - not with diesels, but I assume this is abnormal?
The engine starts immediately first time, every time and runs sweetly (albeit a little hot) so I'm reluctant to fix it if it ain't broke.
I assume this could be due to back flow from one or more inlet valves, either because the tappet clearance is too small or because a valve isn't seating correctly?.
Has anyone else seen this?
When The B engines go out the factory door they have the crankcase breather hose run to the air intake. Does yours?
i'll check!
Keel : I don't believe that you have a problem. As Ken said the newer Universal M35B and XM25 XPB engines all have their oil pan breather vented in to the intake manifold.
A thought
Thank you Ron. The oil breather would certainly explain it.