An idiot's guide to changing engine oil on some Chinese tractors.

[Chris D]

Firstly, I'm the idiot. After 13 years of changing oil and filter(s) on my 404 Foton, I must have had a brain fade. So, giving that it may have been covered before on this forum, I thought I might save someone else from making the same mistake.

There are two ways to put oil into the SL3105 engine and, I suspect, many of the smaller Chinese tractor engines.
1. Where it says "OIL" on the cap on the left of the engine in front of the diesel injection pump.
2. Where it says "OIL" on the cap on the front of the rocker (tappet) cover.

For years I've added the oil into the first of these with no problems. This time, for some reason that I cannot explain, I tipped it into the second one; the filler on the tappet cover. When it came time to start the engine, the engine was locked - turned out to be "hydraulicked". A simple investigation showed me that at the front of the tappet cover is a breather that connects directly to the intake manifold and that at least some of the oil I'd added had found its way into the intake manifold - and thenceforth into one or more cylinders. The decompression lever allowed me to get rid of the problem and start the engine. Then it was simple matter of checking levels, adding a little more oil INTO THE CORRECT FILLER and then kicking my own backside.

So here's the takeaway. Add oil only into the OIL filler at side of the engine. Leave the one on the tappet cover unopened.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Filling through the valve cover is ok as long as it's done S-L-O-W-L-Y. There is a small orifice in the crankcase vent tube (about 1/8"), and a baffle inside the valve cover to prevent oil splash from entering the tube. The push rod clearance in the cylinder head is pretty small so it takes some time for oil to pass.

 

[twisted235]

Thanks for that info.I have a Ranch hand 4452dxl which i believe is the same as a Foton 404.Great powerful tractor I love it.Got it cheap from the local john deere dealer because it was blowing oil out the exhaust and no hydraulics to the loader.A few days of research and we discovered it had a blown hydraulic pump seal.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Welcome Twisted235. I see you have a Yuchai dozer too. Cool. Good luck with your 4452DXL.

 

[twisted235]

Thanks Bob Rooks.I just got this yuchai at an estate auction for $1880.00 with 27 hrs on it.It wouldnt move we plumbed in a filter into the left hydraulic tank after finding the transmission hyd pump was all chewed up inside.I replaced the pump with the upgraded pump.It still wouldnt move so we pulled the filter screen out of the clutch housing and it was almost like tar on it from the return line.Cleaned that and replaced the return line and it works great now.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Thanks Bob Rooks.I just got this yuchai at an estate auction for $1880.00 with 27 hrs on it.It wouldnt move we plumbed in a filter into the left hydraulic tank after finding the transmission hyd pump was all chewed up inside.I replaced the pump with the upgraded pump.It still wouldnt move so we pulled the filter screen out of the clutch housing and it was almost like tar on it from the return line.Cleaned that and replaced the return line and it works great now.

That's a great buy!
I hope you changed the oil in the shuttle clutch. Ideally it should be ISO AW 100 machine oil because that has an AGMA rating of 3, but that's hard to come by. As an alternative, use ISO AW 46 hydraulic oil. You can also use any oil that has a Caterpillar TO-3 or TO4 certification. Use 75W-90 gear oil in the transmission/bevel gear case (common sump), and 85W-140 gear oil in the final drives.

Do you have manuals for it?

 

[twisted235]

I am using vp racing utility tractor oil from tractor supply.I think that is the right stuff it seems to move ok hot or cold.I have ran the heck out of it since i got it moving.Except for the fact that you cant see the blade it pushes like crazy.
I fired it up after it got down to 10" and it seemed to do great.I used it to push my non running 580 ck backhoe closer to my garage.

 

[Bob Rooks]

I am using vp racing utility tractor oil from tractor supply.I think that is the right stuff it seems to move ok hot or cold.I have ran the heck out of it since i got it moving.Except for the fact that you cant see the blade it pushes like crazy.
I fired it up after it got down to 10" and it seemed to do great.I used it to push my non running 580 ck backhoe closer to my garage.

Nope. I wouldn't use it and expect longevity of the clutch discs and planetary drives. VP Racing also markets AW-46 hydraulic oil and TO-4 "Torque Fluid". I would use those instead, but you can use whatever you want, I only offer advice.
VP Racing doesn't state what certifications their oil has, and for that reason alone I wouldn't use it. Their marketing terminology is very ambiguous.