Cold weather blowout - how worried should I be?

acohen100 · Dec 23, 2008

It hit -5F here in VT this morning. I was having a little trouble starting up the tractor but it got going with a little extra cranking. As I was watching it warm up I noticed that it seemed to be blowing out a lot of smoke. I attributed it to the temperature and perhaps a little water in the deisel. After about 3 minutes of warming up I see a puddle on the garage floor. Sure enough, there is a stream of oil coming out of the seal between the oil filter and engine. I immediately shut down. I don't think that more than perhaps 4 ounces of oil leaked out.

Not sure what to do. I don't want to risk damaging the engine. I use TRC Moly XL Pro-Spec 10W30. Should I just pull off the filter and replace it and assume it was just a bad seal? Should it go to the dealer? I don't want to void my warrantee.

Runner · Dec 23, 2008

I've never had this happen on my tractor, but have seen it happen on a car before. I attributed it to shrinkage, either of the seal, dissimilar metals or both, due to the extreme cold. After I re-tightened the filter, I had no more problems.

For this reason, I tend to "overtighten" my filters just a little in the winter by giving them just a little twist with the filter wrench after hand tightening. This may or may not be a good thing to do, but I've not had the problem recur when doing this.

In my opinion, I don't think is a big problem, but I would re-tighten the filter and check the oil level.

My opinion and $6 will get a cup of coffee at Starbuck's....

Diamondpilot · Dec 23, 2008

I am thinking it just built up too much oil pressure and blew the seal. You probably have a bad filter. Most have a internal bypass that allows oil to flow if there is a restriction such as debris in the filter media or in your case cold thick oil. This value is usually around 8 psi to maybe 12 psi. That means if there is more than that value in difference from the oil trying to enter the filter versus exiting the filter it will bypass if working properly until the value drops back into the normal range. Don't confuse this with the oil pressure of your engine which is commonly 35 psi to as much as 60 psi and as low as 7 psi at a idle on some engines.

Make sure you are using a quality filter such as OEM, Napa, Fram, ect. Yes, Fram is a good filter, just not as good as some but better than many others. Make sure if you are using a aftermarket filter it matches the OEM specs. It would also be a good idea to get a block heater and install it on your tractor to help with cold starting issues and diesel engines.

Chris

acohen100 · Dec 23, 2008

I tightened the filter a few turns. Started it back up. Ran for about a minute with no oil leak. Then the RPMs started dropping off and it started shaking madly, sounded like it was about to stall, and then I turned it off. What next? Replace the filter?

Diamondpilot · Dec 23, 2008

You have bigger problems than a filter. Its time to look at the fuel system. Does it have a sediment bowl and if so does it have any water in it? If it was a oil pressure problem it would blow the filter wide open if it was much too high. I would say warm the tractor up to about 60 deg with a salamander heater in a garage then give it another try. You may just have some ice crystals in the fuel or some gelling causing a clogged injector. You may also add some Power Serve Red or similar product to the fuel. Also remove the fuel filter and take a look then reinstall with a small amount of the PSR and clean fuel.

Chris

Diamondpilot · Dec 23, 2008

I forgot to ask how old the tractor is? Is it still under warranty? Also is this your Kubota 24?

Chris

john_bud · Dec 23, 2008

The HST filter is in line AFTER the pre-charge pump. The pressure relief is factory set to about 450 psi. If you don't tighten that filter down the o-ring will blow. Normally when that happens the only solution is a new filter.

The ragged running does sound like a case of the winter gels. Drop the fuel filter and see if it is coated in greasy snot. Either warm it to melt the snot or replace. Put about 1/4-1/2 of the bowl volume with an additive like Diesel 911 or similar (the bowl will fill up the rest of the way with fuel when you turn on the line. Add the rest of the stuff to the tank and top it off with warm fuel. Bring a 5 gal in the house to warm it up when the wife isn't around

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Diamondpilot · Dec 23, 2008

john_bud said:
The HST filter is in line AFTER the pre-charge pump. The pressure relief is factory set to about 450 psi. If you don't tighten that filter down the o-ring will blow. Normally when that happens the only solution is a new filter.

I am confused. Are we talking about the HST filter or the Engine Oil Filter? I was under the impression we were talking about the Engine Oil Filter. Now that probably has nothing to do with the rough running. Listen to what me and John had to say about the fuel situation. I think that is the real problem.

Chris

JRobyn · Dec 23, 2008

You tightened the filter "a few turns"?!? Wow! It must have been really loose, so that should explain and correct the (engine?) oil leak.

- Jay

Egon · Dec 23, 2008

I would say warm the tractor up to about 60 deg

Following that advice should make all the symptoms go away. Then you can properly warm up the tractor and get some fuel conditioner into the fuel system so it will do some good.