BX-25 dumping oil after a cold start

[auroraproject]

It's -5f here this morning, and I needed the BX25 to run trash down to the road.

I heated the glow plug for 10 seconds and the starter got the engine turning, but not quite starting. I held off for about 30 seconds, then gave it another 10 seconds on the glow plug followed by a second attempt to start. It reluctantly started with a cloud of black smoke that quickly changed to white (water vapor I think, it didn't smell). I pulled it out of the tent and was going to let it warm up to run, but I noticed a puddle of black oil and a trail for the little bit I pulled forward, and another puddle under the engine, still dripping. I shut her down and looked around for the leak, which seems to be from all around the oil filter on the right side.

What could cause this/what is the fix? I'm running to town to get a new jug of oil and a new filter.

The engine has 130 hours on it (oil changed per schedule at 50), and has been run in colder weather than this. The fuel might not be winter blend, but I'm going to get new fuel for it today.

 

[dodge man]

Oil filter not tight or a bad gasket on the filter. When its really cold and the oil is thick, the pressure can get high and that probably caused the leak.

 

[oldnslo]

Oil filter not tight or a bad gasket on the filter. When its really cold and the oil is thick, the pressure can get high and that probably caused the leak.

Would be my first thought also.

 

[Deano]

Ditto...

 

[Gator6x4]

If it was my tractor.....I would put a new Kubota Filter on it and use synthetic oil in the engine. Synthetic oil tolerates heat and cold better than dino oil. Not starting an OIL FLAME DISCUSSION, since I believe a person purchased equipment with their money not mine and they should use what oil they want to, synthetic or dino in it.

 

[jimbo64]

i agee-syn will start easier in cold weather

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Consider installing a block heater.

 

[radioman]

If it was my tractor.....I would put a new Kubota Filter on it and use synthetic oil in the engine. Synthetic oil tolerates heat and cold better than dino oil. Not starting an OIL FLAME DISCUSSION, since I believe a person purchased equipment with their money not mine and they should use what oil they want to, synthetic or dino in it.

problem is that BX manual states use 10w30. hard to find synthenic oil 10w/30 with diesel ratings. kubota dont even have any.

 

[kuboman]

problem is that BX manual states use 10w30. hard to find synthenic oil 10w/30 with diesel ratings. kubota dont even have any.

I wouldn't worry about the manual. Put a good light synthetic oil in for the winter or else install a block heater or both.
10-30 oil at -5F is like tar.

 

[dodge man]

I think Amsoil makes a 10W-30 syn. oil. If not use 0w-30.

 

[auroraproject]

Thanks for the replies everyone. :thumbsup:


I drained the oil and took the filter off. Boy was that oil thick. I swapped it for Rotella 5w40 synthetic oil, the same stuff we use in everything else on the farm. If it breaks the 'bota, I'll be surprised (and suddenly much poorer).


As for the block heater, I would have one if the tractor was within a hundred yards of an electric source. A heated electrified garage is on the to do list.

 

[grsthegreat]

I use standard 10w30 oil in my tractors...have for 16 years without an issue, but i have always used some sort of block heater...how i also ise an HST heater.

If i didnt have these heaters id definitely use a winter blend 5x40 synthetic oil also.

 

[Jay4200]

I drained the oil and took the filter off. Boy was that oil thick.

The bezel on my front hub has been dribbly ever since I got my L4200 about 6 years ago. As time went on and the dribbles got worse, I graduated from UDT to 85W90 to 90W140 in the front axle. Now, I keep a cup under the leak - I'm losing about 4oz a month, I dump a little fresh gear oil into the axle every few months (sometimes I'll dump it back in from the cup...shhhhh). I'll get it fixed someday...ANYWAY, I picked up the dribble cup yesterday when it was about 8F, after a night low of about -5F. The 16oz plastic cup was half full of 90W140 dribbles - I turned the cup upsidedown for a couple of seconds and nothing came out. THAT's some thick oil...

Incidentally, I use 15W40 in my tractor and it starts reliably down to about 15-20F with no glow plugs (controller died last year). I'm not concerned about operation in temps below 15F, because I'm not getting on the thing below that. Nothing is so important that it can't wait until it warms up a little bit...

JayC