1950 john deere m oil problem

[jimt2007]

Thanks guys for all the input...always good to have people with more experience giving good advice...in the short term I'm going to drain the oil and go from there...keeping it original is probably best...will work on pump seal in the spring. I plan on keeping it and just passing it down to my son in law some day. Thanks again for all the help.
Jim

 

[saxnbees]

I don't have a model M but I have a model 40 which I think is the model just after the M and shares the same engine, etc. I haven't used it much in the past few years because I mostly use my Kioti NX4510 now. However, if I check the oil after it has been sitting, the oil level is always very high. But if I remember correctly, if you check the level right after it has been run, it will read normal level. I always figured it was because the oil in the inverted oil filter bell housing slowly drains back into the sump. That filter probably holds close to a quart of oil. So, when I do changes, I just fill with the spec for the engine (5 Qts) and it doesn't ever seem to change on the stick. I do lose hydraulic oil through the rockshaft seals but I don't think it is getting into the engine oil or the level would go up over time.

I just looked this up in the manual and here is what it says:

"The actual crankcase capacity of your Model "40" tractor is 4 quarts. However, as it will be necessary to replace filter element with each oil change, an additional quart of specified oil should be added to bring oil to operating level in crankcase at all times. Approximately one quart of oil will be contained in oil filter and oil passages while engine is operating."

I also found a paragraph relating to the All-Fuel version, but I think the point made about checking the oil level is the same.

"Do not check after tractor has been stopped for several hours, as the level will be higher than immediately after stopping engine, due to oil draining back from filter."

 

[jimt2007]

Thanks for this info. saxnbees. I will do as you suggest and ck it just after shut down and see where the oil level sits and go from there. The only thing it is not just a little higher... it is double what the full mark is on the dip stick...hence my concern. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts...always good to have another head in the game

 

[ultrarunner]

Thank you too... learned something new today!

 

[saxnbees]

Just walked up to the tractor barn and measured on the dip stick. It was getting a little dark but I believe the full mark on the stick was 1 3/4 inches from the bottom and my oil level as at 2 5/8 inches. So, my resting oil level was almost 1 inch above the full mark.

I would probably suggest doing an oil change with the recommended fill (5 qts.?). Check it after the fill before you even start the engine and measure where full is. You might even mark it with a scratch. Then, just check the level before you start the engine from that point forward because you know where it should be full. That is basically what I do.

Then, if your full level creeps up, you will know fluid is being added from somewhere. If no, you are good.

 

[jimt2007]

here it is my parade queen

 

[jimt2007]

ok will follow your advice and keep you posted...thanks again.
Jim

 

[ultrarunner]

Looks like a straight exhaust...

Very distinctive sound and my nephew won't hear of any talk to muffle it... it is loud and can be heard acres away...

Always a crowd pleaser.

 

[saxnbees]

My "40" has a muffler but it still is a distinctive sound. My neighbour says he likes to hear it when I have it up in the field. I think some call the machines from that era Johnny Poppers because of the sound they make.

johnnypopper.com is dedicated to information about these tractors.

 

[saxnbees]

By the way, assuming your oil filter is just like mine, when you change the oil filter cartridge, make sure you don't throw out the large washer that is underneath the filter cartridge. It sometimes sticks to the cartridge and people accidentally throw them away with the cartridge. I assume that would affect the oil pressure, drainage, or something.