Oil & Fuel Milky substance on engine oil cap.

Smoody · Nov 30, 2009

I searched for this but did not find what I am looking for.

I went out to use the YM2210 over the Thanksgiving break and I always check the fluid levels before I use it, there is a white pasty (like Mayonnaise) substance at the top of the engine oil dipstick cap. It is also a bit on the walls of the filler area, the oil looks milky, I know that is a sign of water in the oil, the thing is I don't know why. When I bought the tractor the oil looked normal and I used it about 10 hours before I changed it and it never looked this way, I don't have 10 hours on the new oil change (Rotella 15w-40) and it looks contaminated. I cranked it and let it idle for about 5 minutes to see if the moisture would get burned out of the oil once heated, still milky. I immediately turned the tractor off and it will sit until I get this figured out.

What could be causing it and what is the proper procedure on determining the cause? I read a head gasket can cause this but I don't see any other signs of it being that, the tractor doesn't smoke and it starts fine. I do use the decompression lever every time to start it.

Condensation? It does sit outside under a tarp and a soup can on the stack to keep water out, it rained pretty hard a few nights last week, how can I check for a blown head gasket? Should I just change the oil and filter and see if it happens again??

Thanks

art · Nov 30, 2009

If you were to leave the tractor static for a day or two most moisture would be below the oil and to loosen the dain plug a bit and see what seeps out, the type of moisture that runs out will answer a lot.

If it does have antifreeze in it it would show. If it is just water which it could be condensation that would show!

If the oil is discolored from when installed then it is absorbing the moisture and would or should be changed out as soon as you can identify the problem.

Dargo · Nov 30, 2009

Sorry to sound like I have only bad news, but if it looks like what you describe, it sure isn't condensation. At best it's a head gasket or intake gasket. At worst, the block could be shot. Getting what looks like light colored chocolate milkshake from an engine is almost always really bad. You do want to check into it right away though. Continued operation with it as you describe will definitely result in a destroyed engine. Good luck!

deepNdirt · Nov 30, 2009

look to see if the radiator is at all low in water, if it is then most likely blown gasket, although could have ran hot and went over into the overflow catch bottle, Do you know if the tractor has in fact ever ran Hot? have you ever shut it off and hear it perking or poping from within the engine? the idiot lights installed on these YM have been known to fail, loose wire blown bulb etc,etc,
if your lucky enough for it to only be a blown head gasket and get it replaced then I would change over to a temp gauge asap,

beenthere · Nov 30, 2009

And drain the oil to see what it looks like. Will be interested to know the outcome. Hope it is not bad news.

Smoody · Nov 30, 2009

Thanks for the replies.

The indicator assembly/bulbs are new and functioning, I guess the temp sender could be bad but the bulb I know works, I have never heard it boiling/popping etc after a shutdown, only thing I have heard is where the coolant drains back down after I shut it off, its not hissing or any indication of running hot. I will lightly loosen the oil plug and see what comes out first as suggested.

After some reading I see that water can enter through a shifter boot, I do have a crack in my PTO shifter boot, can water find its way into the engine oil from there or just the Hyd fluid?? I keep a tarp on the tractor at all times though.

Man I hate to hear it could be bad, it runs perfect and I haven't run it on the milky looking oil, other then idle, before I changed the oil it was fine....

The radiator fluid overflow bottle was full above the "full" line, I emptied down to the full line and haven't noticed any level dropping, also the engine oil level has not risen, or enough to tell yet.

chriswheeler · Nov 30, 2009

First thing = Do not run this engine before checking it out, you could loose all of the rod and main bearings fast !!!
Second = go to a good tractor supply or diesel shop and ask for a test kit. You will draw a small sample of the engine oil and it will be sent to a lab for testing at a nominal cost.
The results of the lab test will tell you what you need to do.
Coolant in the engine oil can force you to have to rebuild your engine when all you needed was a new head gasket or something small. Test will let you know if there is coolant in your oil, or something else. Well worth the small price paid,
Chris

tallyho8 · Nov 30, 2009

Smoody said:
After some reading I see that water can enter through a shifter boot, I do have a crack in my PTO shifter boot, can water find its way into the engine oil from there or just the Hyd fluid??

No, it will just get in the hydro fluid.

Smoody · Dec 7, 2009

I think I have a head gasket leak, the radiator fluid is low, I posted on another thread about a leaking injector, and that is was bubbling where the gasket is, I thought it was gas burning off but I still see the small bubbling in spots, so that would indicate a gasket leak correct? I haven't taken anything apart yet.

I also located a engine builder who can check the head for warping/cracks and can resurface it if needed, basically for $60 I can get the Head cleaned, pressure check and a resurfaced, or $35 if no resurfacing needed, I think that's a fair price, anyone??

He asked me if the engine was a Direct Injection or In-Direct injection system, What system are Yanmars? He asked this when I asked what it would cost to rebuild the head completely. (valves, etc.)

Thanks

SailorBob · Dec 7, 2009

It may be a cracked head. That is a good price. I spent more than that when I rebuilt my engine. I had the head magnafluxed, resurfaced, pressure tested, replaced valve stem seals, valves, and springs. These heads sometime crack at the injector hole. I have heard that Fredricks can repair them.

Smoody · Dec 7, 2009

If it is a cracked head that means it ran hot, correct? So if it is cracked there is a issue with the cooling system, correct?

Bob85355 · Dec 7, 2009

Smoody,

Had a very similar problem with water in the crankcase oil, Changed the oil and filter and the problem came back. Couldn't locate the leak area so I purchased a head gasket set. Before I tore the YM1500 apart thought I'd take a chance on a sealer. Bought KW nano sealer, put it in but followed some advice on another forum to leave it in rather than flush it. That's been a year ago and the oil is staying cleaner than before the water problem.

May not work for you but its a minor cost compared to the alternative. If you go ahead with the head work, I've got a spanking new gasket still in the shipping box I'll sell you for half price.

Bob
Central Arizona

chriswheeler · Dec 7, 2009

Trouble with this stuff is it WILL ruin your engine if left unattended for long. Why take the chance, do the sample test, and FIX the problem before it wipes out the engine. Some of these parts are tough to come by at any price. Why go there if you don't have to?? Coolant in the engine usualy comes from one of two places, leaking head gasket, or in these older engines, leaking liner seals. ( o rings ) Good luck,
Chris

mus302 · Dec 8, 2009

Smoody said:
He asked me if the engine was a Direct Injection or In-Direct injection system, What system are Yanmars? He asked this when I asked what it would cost to rebuild the head completely. (valves, etc.)

I am pretty sure Yanmars are indirect injection. Diesel is injected into a prechamber not directly into the combustion chamber.

clemsonfor · Dec 8, 2009

Have you sold the 2001 yet? If not At least you will still have one running tractor while you redo the head on this one.

Smoody · Dec 8, 2009

clemsonfor said:
Have you sold the 2001 yet? If not At least you will still have one running tractor while you redo the head on this one.

No I still have it, I will be holding on to it now. I plan on getting the 2210 taken care of right after Christmas, I really like it and its killing me looking at it sit. I am going to replace the gasket, get the head checked and changed all fluids again, and most importantly install a TEMP GUAGE before I run it again. I will keep a good eye on it and hope the gasket replacement was the issue.

Just for knowledge, what can happen if the 2210 sits for awhile before I got to repair it? Will anything else happen while it just sits? Should I drain the oil out now or wait?

brin · Dec 8, 2009

if it were my tractor and there was water in that oil I would drain it and put fresh oil in it instead of letting water sit in my engine . If you don't start it until you get it fixed there should be little to no further water intrusion into the engine in my view. Oil is not that expensive.

careyo63 · Dec 8, 2009

I'm with you Smoody. I put atleast 4-5 HRS. on a YM 2500 yesterday and was able to get a real good feel of it. I will take the Torque of my 2cyl. YM2000 over the 4HP. Don't hear very well anymore so that not a issue for me. Since your on the off season like me and you have another tractor I would take my time And make sure to catch everything while you have it's down and apart.Have you ran a compression test? I would if possible. If it was me since you are going to be able to get a good look at the Cyl. and might want to go ahead and freshin them up while you are at it.

Carey

SailorBob · Dec 8, 2009

Smoody said:
No I still have it, I will be holding on to it now. I plan on getting the 2210 taken care of right after Christmas, I really like it and its killing me looking at it sit. I am going to replace the gasket, get the head checked and changed all fluids again, and most importantly install a TEMP GUAGE before I run it again. I will keep a good eye on it and hope the gasket replacement was the issue.

Just for knowledge, what can happen if the 2210 sits for awhile before I got to repair it? Will anything else happen while it just sits? Should I drain the oil out now or wait?

I like my 2 cylinder Yanmar as well. They do have a lot of torque for the horsepower that they provide. The machine shop will be able to test the head for you. Hopefully, it is just the head gasket.

Good luck!