Is there a break in period on the 4225H?

[Fireman1317]

I took delivery of a 2018 4225H a couple weeks ago. Have only got to use it a few times so far, but each time I have, it has put out a lot of white smoke.

The first time, my son and I were using it to pull T posts out of the ground. I bumped the throttle up so it wasn’t always at low idle. The white smoke and exhaust smell were almost unbearable. I called the dealer and he said it was running fine before they delivered it and to just keep using it and if I’m still concerned when my grapple bucket arrived, they would come out and take a look.

I kept using it and once I really got into the forward pedal and the rpms went up, it went away.

Yesterday, started fine. Started driving it down the drive and all of a sudden it starts really pushing white smoke. I turned around to back to the barn and once I got back, it had stopped.

Is this to be expected until the motor gets broke in more? Tractor had 1.6hrs when I took delivery. Now has around 3.

 

[ericm979]

My 3725 has never smoked and the exhaust does not smell much. What smell there is isn't old fashioned diesel stink, it's what you smell from modern low emissions diesels. It's more similar to what cars with catalytic converters smell like than to an old diesel. I don't remember a break in period in the owner's manual.

It sounds like there's something wrong with yours. Hopefully it's an easy fix.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

No, it's not "normal". There is no break in period either. I started using mine right off the trailer, and it never smokes. White smoke means water in fuel, or water (coolant) getting in cylinders.

I suspect it could just be crappy fuel. Have you looked in your fuel/water separator? Maybe there's water in it? Where did you get your fuel from?

You're not low on, or using coolant are you?

It's not normal, if you determine that it's likely not water in fuel, then I would have the dealer look at it before you keep running it.

 

[Fireman1317]

No, it's not "normal". There is no break in period either. I started using mine right off the trailer, and it never smokes. White smoke means water in fuel, or water (coolant) getting in cylinders.

I suspect it could just be crappy fuel. Have you looked in your fuel/water separator? Maybe there's water in it? Where did you get your fuel from?

You're not low on, or using coolant are you?

It's not normal, if you determine that it's likely not water in fuel, then I would have the dealer look at it before you keep running it.

The tractor came full of fuel from the dealer and they had just got it in the week before they delivered it to me. I’ll check the fuel/water separator.

 

[Hombre]

I've heard this (white smoke) a few times and not just on new units. I'm thinking with the smoke, and especially the smell part, it's coming from the DPF filter. Perhaps there's a "coating" of some type that needs to be burned off the insides or it's just doing the "regen" thing and shows you're running it hard enough at that point to do. Does it continue all the time or sporadic? Just a guess on my part but that "unbearable exhaust smell" is exactly what mine was like before I removed the guts from it. Although I don't remember any white smoke (probably why mine clogged up after 76hrs).

 

[Fireman1317]

Today, the dealer had me let it sit and run wide open for 30 mins and see what it did. It took 3 try’s to get it started after using the glow plugs. Pulled it out of barn and throttled it up. Didn’t take but a minute to start pouring out very stinky white smoke. This lasted for a few minutes and then was gone. After 30 mins, I turned off and let it sit all day. This afternoon it started right up, but stuttered until I gave it about 1/3 throttle. Got some more white smoke, but not as much and lasted only 20 secs or so. Dealer is picking it up tomorrow. Had 3 hours on the tach as of this morning. I really don’t want to regret this purchase!

 

[Fireman1317]

 

[TomIre]

I saw this post a few days ago but just now back online. Wow! Video says it all. I believe I have essentially the same engine on my Branson. That's in no way normal. So sorry for your issues. I've had exactly zero non-operator issues. Really hoping it turns out to be something simple that was possibly connected wrong - although I can't imagine what that could be. Please keep us posted.

 

[ptsg]

That looks like an head gasket failure and the coolant is getting into the cylinders. Either that or a really crappy fuel with a lot of water.

Have you checked the coolant? Both radiator and reservoir. You can check if it's a head gasket problem by opening the radiator cap with the engine cold and then start the engine and see if there are air bubbles coming from the radiator.

It's good that you take a video so you can show to the dealer.

 

[Fireman1317]

That looks like an head gasket failure and the coolant is getting into the cylinders. Either that or a really crappy fuel with a lot of water.

Have you checked the coolant? Both radiator and reservoir. You can check if it's a head gasket problem by opening the radiator cap with the engine cold and then start the engine and see if there are air bubbles coming from the radiator.

It's good that you take a video so you can show to the dealer.

The coolant is in between low and full in the overflow tank. Didn’t think to check radiator when running, but checked it while it was warm and coolant was all the way up to the cap.

I’m not a mechanic by any means, but I would think there would be a coolant smell if it was a head gasket? The smell is very noxious will drive you away. Also it quits smoking after a minute or so. Would it not continually smoke if it was a head gasket?