""You should pull the breather hose off the valve cover and see how much blowby this old diesel is offering up. Then get it warmed up and plug that line with your thumb and check your watch. If it dies in less that five seconds you may have a real worn out engine. Some die in less than two seconds. To go five seconds or better is an indicator of good things.
Some disagree with that test, but it is usually on the money with the turbocharged diesels. Of course you need to evaluate a lot more than that. ""

A while ago you gave me this advice... Here's what I did, and you tell me if it's a good thing...

I pulled the hose off the airfilter cover end (not the end @ the valve cover...) -- let me know if that makes a difference.

It was blowing air out... as it should. I covered it and held it for 5 seconds and when I released it, I felt a surge of air and then normal. I tried it again for 7 seconds... the air surge got greater. I didn't go more than that, but I am 100% sure it would have.

Is that accomplishing the same test as you indicated?

Thanks for the help

GD