My Backhoe needs and engine rebuild

[EddieWalker]

I have a 1998 Ford/New Holland 555E Backhoe. It has 8,500 hours and I bought it with 1,800 hours back in 2003. This is the first major issue that I've had with it.

I think there are two issues. The most obvious is all the white smoke coming out of the exhaust and the vent tube that exits under the engine. It starts quickly, and runs fine, but when I put a strain on it, the white smoke becomes so thick it's hard to breath and see through. I'm thinking the rings are worn. The white smoke has been there for a few years, but this past weekend, it was really, REALLY BAD!!!

The second issue, and what I think caused the rings to wear is the engine oil feels like it's been mixed with hydraulic oil. When I changed the oil last year, I got more oil out of the pan then it is supposed to hold. I didn't overfill it the time before, so somewhere, somehow, more oil is getting into the pan. It feels thin to the touch, looks black and dirty. It just doesn't feel like motor oil to me.

How can hydraulic oil get into an engine? My only thought is there is a leak around the rear main seal that goes to the transmission. But I don't know how this can happen, or if it's possible. I'm going to visit my dealer this week and ask the mechanics there if they know what's happening. I'm hoping for some insight from everyone here too.

I've done one in frame rebuild before that was on my dozer. It has a 6-cylinder Cummins engine. The backhoe has a 4-cylinder engine. I'm not sure who makes it. I'll have to find out. Rebuild kits seem reasonable, but I'm not 100% sure they come with new cylinder sleeves. I'll ask the mechanic at my dealer if the engine has replaceable cylinder sleeves. If it does, that makes it an easy rebuild. I'll check the crank for wear when I get it apart before ordering the kit. I'm hopeful that it doesn't need to be ground down.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!!

Ford New Holland 555E Tractor Major Overhaul Engine Kit (Diesel - 304 CID) - 73341933 | F73341933

Ford New Holland 555E Tractor Major Overhaul Engine Kit (Diesel - 304 CID) - 73341933 | F73341933

www.jensales.com

 

[TMGT]

What's the current engine oil level, if high from the extra hydraulic oil it can cause excessive smoking.

As far as hyd oil getting into the engine, its most likely from a hyd pump mounted to the engines timing cover. It has been a while since I looked at a 555, but i believe there is at least 1 engine mounted pump.

Once the internal seals start leaking, fluid will push past the shaft seal and right into the crankcase.

Had the same problem on my forklift, was soo bad you could operate it for more then a few minutes or it would overfill the crankcase.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks. I'll look for the hydraulic pump on the timing cover. I haven't noticed it, but if it never gave me any problems, I wouldn't of looked for it.

 

[TMGT]

Thanks. I'll look for the hydraulic pump on the timing cover. I haven't noticed it, but if it never gave me any problems, I wouldn't of looked for it.

I got a chance to look at some diagrams, had a hard time finding the info I was looking for.
It appears the power steering pump is located below the alternator on the left side of the engine, which could be leaking into he crankcase. Not sure if it uses the hyd sump for the power steering or it has its own reservoir.

 

[EddieWalker]

I just got home from talking to the mechanics at the New Holland Dealer. They think it's fuel and hot hydraulic oil. They don't think it's possible for hydraulic oil to get into the engine. They think it's the injector pump. Might also be the injectors, but most likely the pump.

I need to get the oil analyzed before I do anything. They didn't think I needed an rebuild based on how quickly the engine starts, and that I don't have any power loss. Apparently, I have one of those engines that should last forever.

A couple concerns they had was that the smoke was white. They said that it should have been black if it was diesel. I didn't smell diesel, and I should have if it was diesel. I don't know what I smelled, I thought it was burning oil. It smelled bad.

Now I need to find a place to send the oil sample. They send it to a place in Shreveport but didn't actually do that themselves and the person who does that wasn't there. I'll start by searching for that place and then see if there is one that's closer. I've never had oil tested before.

 

[doneill127]

On a much smaller machine with a Mitsubishi engine, a failed seal on the injection pump leaked fuel into the crankcase. Had similar issues with smoke etc. checked oil and was way high because of the fuel leakage. Had the seals replaced and all is good.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think you might have anti freeze leaking by. Could be cavitation.
White smoke is usually coolant.
Have you checked your coolant level?

 

[Hay Dude]

I got a chance to look at some diagrams, had a hard time finding the info I was looking for.
It appears the power steering pump is located below the alternator on the left side of the engine, which could be leaking into he crankcase. Not sure if it uses the hyd sump for the power steering or it has its own reservoir.

I wouldn’t think the PS pump would have enougha capacity to affect the engine in a serious way and if it was low, his power steering would be whining or not working.

 

[TMGT]

I wouldn’t think the PS pump would have enougha capacity to affect the engine in a serious way and if it was low, his power steering would be whining or not working.

Agreed, it appears that the p/s has its own smaller reservoir instead of sharing the hyd sump.

 

[Snobdds]

First do a pressure test on the coolant system, if it doesn't hold PSI, start looking for any external leaks. If no external leaks, check the head gasket by keeping the pressure test on the coolant system and see if the PSI goes up when running.

The engine is probably still ok, You either have a head gasket or a hung up injector dumping fuel.

 

[hayden]

I just got home from talking to the mechanics at the New Holland Dealer. They think it's fuel and hot hydraulic oil. They don't think it's possible for hydraulic oil to get into the engine. They think it's the injector pump. Might also be the injectors, but most likely the pump.

I need to get the oil analyzed before I do anything. They didn't think I needed an rebuild based on how quickly the engine starts, and that I don't have any power loss. Apparently, I have one of those engines that should last forever.

A couple concerns they had was that the smoke was white. They said that it should have been black if it was diesel. I didn't smell diesel, and I should have if it was diesel. I don't know what I smelled, I thought it was burning oil. It smelled bad.

Now I need to find a place to send the oil sample. They send it to a place in Shreveport but didn't actually do that themselves and the person who does that wasn't there. I'll start by searching for that place and then see if there is one that's closer. I've never had oil tested before.

Fuel would have been my first guess too. Blackstone labs in Ill can do sampling. I have been using them for years. Call and they will send you one or more sample kits that you then fill and return. Cost is around $30 per sample. I have heard Cat dealers can do sampling too, but I've never gone that route.

Let's hope for an injection pump and injector rebuild to get you back in operation.....

 

[Hay Dude]

Another indicator of too much fuel in the crankcase can also be oil/fuel mixture coming out of the breather tube.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Not sure if yours has a turbo or not, but I ran a dozer that started smoking white really bad. Turns out the turbo was in the process of failing. New turbo and no more smoke. But it was also leaking oil into the breather so the oil level was dropping not rising.

 

[EddieWalker]

The white smoke cloud happened after I dug up a tree and I was pushing it out of the way. I was revving the engine and using all its power to do this. That's when it started smoking like crazy. Huge white cloud of smoke coming out of the exhaust and the breather tube that's under the engine. It lasted until I parked it.

If it was coolant, wouldn't that make the oil milky? The oil is sooty black. I smelled it yesterday for the first time and it smells like diesel. I never thought to smell it before.

No turbo. Just a simple, basic 304 cubic inch four-cylinder Ford diesel engine. They guys at New Holland said it was the last of the great engines before New Holland ruined them.

The mechanics said to replace the injectors too. Maybe I'll do them first and see if I get lucky?

 

[BleedingOrange]

Definitely do the oil analysis. No use tearing anything apart until you know what area is causing the issue. You need to find the root cause of your problem first, before tearing into it. A basic compression check might help as well.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

If it was coolant, wouldn't that make the oil milky?

Not if it's going into the combustion chamber, it turns it into vapor it as the engine is running and smokes white.

That doesn't account for over filled oil though.

Blow by is from the compression leaking past the rings.

SR

 

[EddieWalker]

I ordered the Standard Oil Testing kit from Blackstone.

Standard Oil Testing | Blackstone Laboratories

Our standard analysis is all most people need. It looks at wear metals, additives, fuel, antifreeze, solids, viscosity, and air & oil filtration. Kits are free!

www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[hayden]

The mechanics said to replace the injectors too. Maybe I'll do them first and see if I get lucky?

I would definitely have the injectors tested as part of fixing this, but I think it's unlikely that a stuck injector would dump a measurable amount of fuel in the oil. Most of the excess would go out the exhaust. Fuel in the oil is more likely due to a failed seal in the injection pump. Sounds like a big scary repair, but there are injection pump rebuilt places all over the place, so probably not a big deal to have it rebuilt.

 

[dodge man]

My first reaction before reading other posts was an injector over fueling. The oil sample analysis should help.

 

[EddieWalker]

I would definitely have the injectors tested as part of fixing this, but I think it's unlikely that a stuck injector would dump a measurable amount of fuel in the oil. Most of the excess would go out the exhaust. Fuel in the oil is more likely due to a failed seal in the injection pump. Sounds like a big scary repair, but there are injection pump rebuilt places all over the place, so probably not a big deal to have it rebuilt.

I think your right. It's the only thing that makes sense.