Downhill smoking

[ralanh]

I have a 2008 Jinma 354LE. this is a great tractor. While mowing downhill, when the left side of the tractor (injector side) is at the lowest point, the tractor begins popping and smoking from the exhaust. Judging from the smell,the smoke is definitely oil. This has been happening since day one, but only downhill. Once I turn out of the decline the popping stops, then the smoke clears and it runs fine. Please do not tell me to mow uphill, I mow several acres in a mountain setting and eventually I must go down after going up.I would appreciate any thoughts or comments.
_________________

 

[mattman]

How much oil is in it??

 

[Bob Rooks]

I seems that this issue was just addressed somewhere, and the finding was that the crankcase evacuator hose that leads from the valve cover to the intake manifold is the culprit. For some reason unbeknownst to this writer, the oil is not draining down fast enough from the top end back to the crankcase, and flowing over into the intake manifold. Seems to me that an easy fix would be to relocate the hose into the top center of the valve cover. Easier yet - stay on the flat.

 

[ralanh]

Matt, that is a good (controversial) question. the manual states the oil capacity to be 6.3 quarts. the dipstick has two holes, which are to my understanding, are the minimum/maximum indicators. Thus filling to the maximum will take 8 quarts. Maybe the dipstick is the culprit.

 

[ralanh]

Bob I appreciate your thoughts. How do you think I can mow in a mountain setting and stay in the flat? I am looking for realistic responses to this post not comedy

 

[Bob Rooks]

First of all I apologize for not keeping a straight face.
Secondly, you would have to have at least ten gallons of oil in the base before it could get into the combustion chamber, and by that time I think you would notice a little "leaking or dripping" somewhere.
Bear in mind that these engines' oil pumps can loose suction on steep grades - they do not have dual suction tubes or split sumps like the high-end equipment.
If I were you I would pop that valve cover to see why the oil isn't returning to the base in a timely fashion. I offered a suggestion for the fix - take it or leave it.
It also would be a big help to others to know what engine you have, since several seem to be available.
I do know a little about engines.

 

[ralanh]

Thanks for the feedback. The engine is a 395E1 (three cyl)

 

[Turbo]

Ralanh, Bob may have a point on the valve cover vapor hose. At looking at my 284 jinma my hose comes out the top and to the rear of the cover , but it points down to the intake.
I would disconnect the hose at the valve cover and plug the hose so you don't create a vacuum leak to the intake, and then do a test , if you get oil on your engine ,but the problem stops, then your valve cover is flooding with oil, and a oil/air separator will have to be installed. or a check valve installed. Take pictures.

 

[ralanh]

It is fixed,
thanks for the help

 

[erj]

It is fixed,
thanks for the help

Thank you for telling us what the problem really was and how it was fixed. We will now be able to share that with others who have a similar problem!
RonJ

 

[ralanh]

Hi Ron, I like your sense of humor/sarcasm? lol

I had an agenda this am when I posted. I had to get parts for the power steering leak. Another saga/another post

the downhill smoking was indeed burning oil. The original (factory)valve cover vent is located at the left front of the valve cover. The vent tube was bent down directly into the intake. When the tractor was traveling (downhill) with the left front at the lowest point the oil would get to the vent tube and the intake vacuum would take over.

the fix: I capped off the valve cover, cut a neat hole in the oil fill cap, placed a 90 degree(barbed outside/threaded inside) elbow in the cap and installed a new hose to return to the intake. It is crude but it will work until I bring the tractor home for the winter.

I ran the tractor down every hill that produced the sputtering and could not make it smoke, skip, or sputter once.

Credit will actually go to Bob Rooks.

I never really paid attention to the placement of the vent.

 

[valley]

Glad it was an easy find easy fix.