ISEKI Head Gasket

[James Reany]

This weekend I was using my Iseki 1910FM and oil came spewing out the top of the engine through the oil breather. It was hard to start even though it was well over 100 F at the time we started it. My partner told me that the head gasket was blown. Does this sound right? If so why did this happen and where do you recommend looking for the part? I have the user guide and spec guide to be able to do the changes. Need HELP!!! Thank You JR

 

[RobJ]

This is interesting. Is this the only breather you have on the engine? Have you checked the oil? Is it at a regular level or has diesel filled up the crank case. You might have to pull the valve cover and crank it up to see what's going on. Usually there is a baffle around the breather opening to keep splash away from it. This is why I wonder if the crankcase is full.

With a head gasket there are sometimes squeaks, water in the oil, oil in the water, etc. But I haven't seen it all!!

Good Luck,
Rob

 

[nickmech]

RobJ is right. You should check oil level, see if engine is "making oil", either from fuel or hyd fluid getting in crankcase and blowing out breather. If not, oil slobbering from breather usually indicates excessive crankcase pressure, or blowby. Could be caused by a bad cylinder. You say it was hard to start? What does engine sound like? Does it have a miss? How had it been running?

 

[larso1]

I have virtually the same model, an TS1610F, with the same Isuzu motor. And I had the exact same problem as yours, except for the hard starting part. The problem is most likely worn rockers (4-ea.) and rocker shaft. After replacing a lot of top end parts on mine, including rings, rod bearings, valve seals, and head gasket, came to find out it was the rockers passing too much oil to the top of the cylinder head, under the valve cover. It literally filled up with oil because it couldn't drain back down the pushrod tunnels to the oil sump fast enough. Confirm this is the problem by taking the valve cover off and start the motor, then look for excess oil flow from a couple rockers. This problem has been reported by a few others so is somewhat common for some reason. You're looking at probably $300.00 in parts (4 rockers, one rocker shaft, and a head gasket). Contact DESSCO.com and talk to Jim Hiner in parts. He'll need the engine model No. 2AA1 and a spec number, he should be able to give you that. Good luck,

Bill

 

[James Reany]

In response I would like to add this. I had checked the gear box oil level after 20 hrs. of time and found it really low. I put in at least a gallon of crancase oil. Also I checked the oil level the other day, when I discovered the problem, and the level was normal. Just some other observations. I am beginning to think that just because the Iseki unit looked great and performed great, it may not have been as well refurbished as I would like to believe.Thanks for the heads up so far. JR

 

[Mark_in_NY]

James, I too have TS1910F (G194) that used to do the same thing, beltch oil out the breather cap. The problem is caused by blow-by. Excess crankcase presure that can't escape. Its more likely caused by weak rings than a blown head gasket. Admittedly my engine has a lot of hours but she still performs well and is no where near ready for a rebuild. That talk about a blown head gasket is nonsense. All I have to do for my tractor is clean that breather cap occasionally with some gas or diesel so the pressure can vent long before it builds to the point of carrying oil out the breather. Look at your cap. I bet its dirty and clogged. Consider cleaning it as routine maintenance and you'll get many more years of good service.