Blow by opinions, when to replace rings

/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #1  

longjohn79

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2017
Messages
46
Location
PA
Tractor
JD2010
Seen lots of opinions in searches, wondering if anyone has a good method or line of thinking on when blow by is too much and rings should be replaced? I have an L35 with ~2k hours and i am debating. Also has anyone done a rebuild on the L35 motor? Any help is appreciated.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #2  
Is it hard starting, running poorly, low on power, using excess oil, Etc ??
If not run it.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #4  
Put a clear tube in dip stick hole, make sure it has a good seal. Bend it in a u shape outside the motor, zip tie the u together, fill the bottom 5 inches of u with water, start engine and run up to and operating speed. If the water levels are 4 inches apart, that is 2 inches of mercury, that's when we call it around here, your motor has a hard enough time producing power with that much blowby let alone forcing pistons into a pressurized crank case.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings
  • Thread Starter
#5  
No ether to start, starts and runs ok. I have removed the dipstick while running and it has a decent amount of pressure coming out when I put my finger over the hole. I will use the tube method, thanks for that. I will update once I have tested.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #7  
Air moving out of dipstick hole isn't a great estimate as the oil is moving around the crank creating air turbulence. Best way on blow by and any other sort of leakage is a leak down test. Theres a value for you engine that is "acceptable" and will let you know that you need to rebuild the top end. You also need to do it cylinder to cylinder and compare. You may just have one leaker, or multiples. Not that I would pull the top end off to do one piston.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #8  
Why do you believe it has a problem? Have you checked that the crank case ventilation is working. At 2000h and normal service it should be almost as new.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #10  
No ether to start, starts and runs ok. I have removed the dipstick while running and it has a decent amount of pressure coming out when I put my finger over the hole. I will use the tube method, thanks for that. I will update once I have tested.

A preasurized crank case can be an indication of plugged or clogged crank case ventilation.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #11  
My vote is to run it until it is hard to start or doesn't have enough power to do what you need it to do.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #13  
2k hrs is no time for a diesel to be needing rings if any kind of preventive maintenance...oil changes, air cleaner attached, cleaned when needed, and coolant maintained for normal operating temps.

I know nor read anything about this thread other than your initial post. But I have been running diesels for 35+ years and have learned a couple of things. First thing I would do would be to do a servicing of the above. Then get yourself a cleaner for carbon and injectors...numerous good ones out there, I use Power Services and or Sea Foam. Read the directions and when they say quantity, up it by 10 for the first tank of diesel.

Hook your tractor to something that will make it work and work it hard forcing the temp gauge up into mid-range (correction word min meant to be mid 4/3/17) for a couple of hours steady. Let her cool down and change the oil and filter again.

Finish off that tank and when you refill use 2x the cleaner's recommended amount and keep at least their normal maintenance level.

I just finished cleaning up a "smoker", my '63 2000D with about 3700 original hrs (original proof meter still works) an never having a wrench on the main engine (generator, starter, water pump, excepted). I did what I told you and it really did a nice job. This past winter I never used my glow plugs and she started up in all of 15 seconds.

Try it before you start worrying about something you probably don't need.
 
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/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #14  
Seen lots of opinions in searches, wondering if anyone has a good method or line of thinking on when blow by is too much and rings should be replaced? I have an L35 with ~2k hours and i am debating. Also has anyone done a rebuild on the L35 motor? Any help is appreciated.
John,

I have a basic question, what causes your concern regarding rings and blow by? Do you believe your engine's rings are out of spec? Several replies here have suggested a compression and/or leak down test to confirm piston ring performance. Is you engine consuming excessive engine oil? Also, have you tried a UOA to determine wear metals? What oil do you use in your engine?

Without some baseline information regarding your engine, we're all just spitballing as to a fix, myself included.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings
  • Thread Starter
#15  
So my original post is based on that I just purchased the tractor used. There is some of what I think is blow by coming from the case vent, but it could be just normal venting. Everyone I talked to before buying said check for blowby. I have not run enough yet to know if it uses oil, power seems to be ok, but I have nothing to compare it to. I like the compression test and Oil Analysis, did a lot of that in the Army. For now I want to do a normal service as I do that anytime I buy a new used item. Probably change oil and filters and monitor things. I will sample oil before changing, where can I get the analysis done?
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #16  
These folks will do the analysis for you...

Standard Analysis

What oil will you use? I'm doing the same with my used M-F...I'll use Mobil Delvac1300 15w-40, available at Wal-Mart.
 
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/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings
  • Thread Starter
#17  
Thank you def38 I will give them a try.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings #18  
Many will advise Shell Rotella, some Delo400. I prefer the Delvac due to the corrosion inhibitors they use. Our tractors stand idle for long periods hence, corrosion and moisture are of concern.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings
  • Thread Starter
#19  
I have considered all those. My previous machine always saw Rotella.
 
/ Blow by opinions, when to replace rings
  • Thread Starter
#20  
Got my kit from Blackstone yesterday, going to pull the sample today and change the oil.
 

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