Is This Normal? STX-550 Vapor from Oil Fill Point

Hi Navara Forum.

Prior to doing an oil change on my 2014 STX-550 I noticed a lot of vapor coming out of the oil fill point. Not quite what I was expecting. Is this normal?

Thanks, Murray.

if that's steam you got a problem...............need a catch can

Thanks for the quick response.
I have fitted a HPD catch can. I get the same steam coming out of the catch can when I remove the catch can dip stick.
My mechanic tells me this is normal for the V9X engine.........

catch cans don't have a dip stick, seems like a lot of blow by..........

I agree, doesn't seem normal to me. Although the HPD description of the catch can function states.

"The HPD oil air separator has been designed to significantly reduce the oil vapor from the
rocker cover breather going into the intake of the turbo"

The HPD catch can has a short dip stick as shown. You unscrew the bottom section to empty, no hose with a valve like some other catch can types.

Hey guys I have an STX550. It also has the vapor issue. I always wondered about it, however the vehicle still goes like a rocket with the same HDP quality catch can fitted, so just didn’t think much about it. Mine has done 220K a fair bit of heavy towing. I have issues with engine oil leaks which seem to clear up when I do an oil change with a condition added.
I have als had a leak from the gearbox. I changed the filter & obviously the gearbox oil, also adding a conditioner.
I am still wrestling with keeping liquid in the engine & gear box.
I have recently taken delivery of a decent inspection camera. I will now be able to get an accurate measurement on what gearbox oil remains.
I love the Truck but its seems to want to be a turd, however I am stubborn, & I will beat the problem.
By the way you can use a syringe with a bit of tubing to empty your HDP Catch can.

All the best
SRicho

Just a quick look at the beast

Hi SRicho,

Thanks for confirming you see the same vapor from your 550. If additional owners confirm the same, then I'll lean to this being normal.

I use a battery hydrometer to empty my catch can. Mounted in the recommended location (read only location), when you unscrew the base you can't pull it out past the rest of the catch can.

With regards to all the items - issues I've been through with mine, I don't want to turn this thread into a bitch session. Suffice to say many and costly....

Regards, Murray.

Mine does the same when you fit the HPD catch can it removes the PCV valve so everything is going directly through the catch can the whole time . Mine has 220k on it .

Hi everyone
The V9X motor has a massive amount of crank case ventilation and you will always see a significant amount of oil vapour coming from the oil filler point.
You should also note that directly under the filler point is a timing chain and cog and you will even notice droplets of oil coming out of the filler hole because of the throw from the timing cog. Quite normal.
To make this beast push out as much power as it does and rev as freely as it does you need to have that ventilation.
Even with a catch can fitted to my motor I am still relieving approximately 200 mils of oil per service from the catch can.

murrayV9X said:

Hi SRicho,

Thanks for confirming you see the same vapor from your 550. If additional owners confirm the same, then I'll lean to this being normal.

I use a battery hydrometer to empty my catch can. Mounted in the recommended location (read only location), when you unscrew the base you can't pull it out past the rest of the catch can.

With regards to all the items - issues I've been through with mine, I don't want to turn this thread into a bitch session. Suffice to say many and costly....

Regards, Murray.

Click to expand...

My V9X has just reached 80,000 kms and I can unhesitantly state that at no time including now has it ever had any vapour escaping from the filler cap nor oil splashing from filler cap. If anything there is a very slight ' suck '
sensation. i have checked for vapour like the video is showing both at initial star up and after a good run down the Hume for several hundred k"s . Seeing the amount of vapour in the video ,I would put it down to piston bypass. My V9X does not have a catch can fitted but is CPU re-Mapped.
Trips like the one down the Hume usually returns 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres fuel consumption at posted speed and above at times. I agree with Olpha that the engine is quite a beast but it is engine condition rather than engine power that causes that sort of vapour escape (all other things being ok).

To close the saga from my side, I'm now the ex owner of a STX-550 and the new owner of a 2020 Ford Ranger. I just couldn't keep up with the issues and lost all confidence - faith in the Navara.

Thanks to all those that replied to the initial thread.

Regards Murray