Oil from Exhaust Elbow

[shazbat]

Hello,

This is my first post on this forum, so please be patient and gentle...

I bought an FMD a couple of weeks ago that, whilst a bit smokey on startup, seemed to clear after a few minutes running.
Yesterday, she decided to start spitting oil from the lowest point of the exhaust manifold that I understand was designed to allow rainwater to escape that had entered from the top of the silencer.
Now before I start spending loads of cash, could fellow forum members please give me an idea of what the cause is and likely remedies.

Many thanks,

Shazbat

[halloween]

I'd be interested to hear about this too.

[Kim]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that there is a leaky head gasket and the "oil" is carbon mixed with coolant. What does the radiator coolant look like?

[shazbat]

Hi Kim,

No oil in water or water in oil.
If its a simple head gasket, or even valves etc, then I would take that on.
However if its sleeves, pistons etc etc then I am not sure I have the appetite for that!
I need a definitive steer as to correct diagnosis before I decide what to do.

Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Shazbat

[Dandy Dave]

Welcome Aboard Matey! You need to take the tractor out to the field and put a load on it. Something like a disk harrow. Or a bush hog, topper. If you have good oil pressure, and it starts fairly easy, you will not need a motor job. These tractors sit around and the rings get sticky, especially if the tractor has been only idled around and not worked as intended. My Power Major sat for a long time and slobbered when I first got it. It cleared up after working it for a time. Old diesels slobber to an extent anyway, After all, it is an "Oil burning" engine. Running a generator for 70 hours at 1,425 RPM this past spring, my Power Major only used 1 Quart of oil, most of which dripped on the ground from a few old seals with slight drips. I did not think that was bad for a tractor that has never been overhauled, and is 51 years old. Dandy Dave!

[shazbat]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your input.

I am not new to Majors, I am aware that these old girls need to be worked regularly, and I surely will in due course, with a loader, well laden trailers, harrows, occasional topping and hopefully I'll finally get around to some ploughing etc. But I have never experienced oil being spat out via the bottom of the exhaust elbow, enough to cover the engine block, steering arm and toolbox with much oil - and I am concerned that working her hard may do more damage. I am reasonably "handy" and will have a go at most mechanical jobs, however, what I dont want to do is splash out on a reconditioning kit (Pistons, Liners, Crank, gasket sets etc) when only a head gasket and/or valves stuff were required. If its piston rings, then I run the risk of damaging the liners etc and that would mean a major rebuild, but if its head gasket/valves then thats fairly straight forward.

I am thinking a compression tester would tell me what was going on - at least as far as the piston rings are concerned?

Regards,

Shazbat

[Kim]

You're right about a compression test. Although not as easy as to perform as on a spark plug engine, the diagnostic value is substantial. A blown valve seal could indeed produce the oil accumulation you are experiencing. Please keep us informed as to what you find.

[cwayne]

Shazbat, I am thinking it may have sucked oil out of the air cleaner(seperator cap off the intake, rain water) or possibly from the crankcase breather( to much blow by) . Both of thes would leave oil on the inside of the intake hose between the air cleaner and manifold.
Good luck.

[Brian]

Until you have worked it I would do nothing. There is a drain hole in the bottom of the elbow and everything you describe relates to "no work". A loader is not enough, your heavy trailers might be if you go for long runs under load.

Your problem is common to all diesel engines, not just Fordsons, I have seen it so many many times, even with new engines that were not put straight into work. It usually started with customers in April and May when tractors were put onto sprayers and beet hoes, problems disappeared in August through to the next April when the tractor was used to plough and cultivate.

You really need a week on the plough and then see what happens, but remember, as soon as you potter around on her, it will be back.

[shazbat]

Hmm, so as long as I have a good oil pressure, I won't be doing any damage right?

Shazbat

[Dandy Dave]

I totally agree with Brian. Run it! I've also seen my share of slobbering diesels, especially old Caterpillar Crawlers which would often get idled around the apple orchards that were common in this area. Put a decent load on them, and they will run clean after some long and steady hours of work. Dandy Dave!

[essex pete]

Another vote for work first, some of older IH ( sorry ) engines over the years have chucked oil out of the exhaust, particularly when only on light use.

[Dandy Dave]

Another vote for work first, some of older IH ( sorry ) engines over the years have chucked oil out of the exhaust, particularly when only on light use.

Sounds like you had an MD-TA or a WD6, WD9 at one time. or mabey aTD series crawler. Yeah, the red ones will slobber also if only idled around. Now back to our regular Fordson program. Dandy Dave!

[shazbat]

OK, I get the message - I'll work her over the next few days and report back...
- just hope you guys are right, and its not piston rings etc, in which case it could make it worse and I'll be into a rebuild situation...

Cheers,

Shazbat

[Brian]

If its piston rings they are already worn out/broken so working will have no effect. You already need sleeves, rings and a bottom end overhaul if it is rings.
You do not complain of any usual piston ring problems like: heavy smoke/oil out of the breather, non-starting, front cover oil seal, rear main oil seal, dipstick being blown out.