oily water found under B8200HST

[murky]

I fired my B8200HST up today and used it very lightly. I mostly let it idle. In total it was less than an hour. I mounted, moved and unmounted my tiller and mounted my rear blade. I also rode it around the yard for 5 minutes. In between these activities it idled.

I had just replaced the hyrdraulic fluid the night before last and this was the first time I ran it (I don't think this is related).

About 6 hours later I went down to the garage (normally the tractor lives outside) and noticed about a teaspoon of clear, oily water underneath it. With some snooping around with a flashlight I could see that the liquid was coming from the tube (edit: breather pipe 15261-05510) that is connected to the top of the valve cover (edit: cylinder head cover 15532-14540).

Please tell me what's going on. How concerned should I be? I got the tractor back in May and its probably been doing this the whole time. I vaguely recall seeing this before when it was parked in the garage months ago, but this time the floor was freshly cleaned and I was paying attention because I'd just changed my UTF.

In another thread you may see that I also use a bit of coolant. I rarely use the tractor for more than a couple hours at a time and maybe 1-4 times a month so far. I've probably added distilled water 4 or 5 times.

If you need more information, let me know. I can take and post pictures of whatever is required as well.

 

[birddogger]

Maybe this is where the coolant is going; though the head gasket to the oil and out the breather? Beg, borrow or steal a cooling system pressure tester and check it out. After running it a bit, is the oil on the dipstick milky looking?

 

[murky]

The oil on the dipstick is not milky. It looks like the normal black diesel engine oil that I'd expect.

I'll look into testing the cooling system pressure. I do hear some pressure release when I remove the coolant cap. I assume that is good.

 

[kubotasam]

I am thinking the 1 teaspoon of water might just be condensation from the crankcase. Sounds like the tractor does not get used all that much. I would get the tractor warmed up, then change the oil. See if that solves the problem.

 

[ipz2222]

And also watch the temp guage, it needs to get hot enough to evaporate any moisture in the crankcase.

 

[birddogger]

I do hear some pressure release when I remove the coolant cap.

That is a good sign, but it could be suction too.
If the pressure test fails (pressure won't hold, bleeds down) DO NOT start the engine afterward; assume water went into a cylinder if you don't see it dripping somewhere. That's so you don't end up bending connecting rods.

But there is a probability, like someone, said it is just a little condensation from older oil (you said it is black) and barely running up to working temperature.
I've heard it said it takes about 1/2 hour of solid work at temperature to blow out the moisture and fuel blow-by from start up.

 

[murky]

Thanks for the replies. No temperature gauge on this model. Oil was changed in May and was black then. When I had a 1976 Mercedes 240D the oil was always black too. I just assumed diesel oil is supposed to be black.

Yes, I rarely give the tractor a real workout.

I have a pressure tester from the auto parts store. I'll see what I can see.

BTW, the tractor is usually stored outside in the rain. Eventually it will get some sort of shelter. The last few nights its been in the garage in place of my car.

 

[murky]

Found a leak at a hose when I inadvertantly pressurized to 20 PSI with tester (sticky needle). Hopefully it wasn't a new leak from over pressure. Radiator cap is designed for 13 PSI apparently.

I looked up the part number and the replacement radiator cap says its rated for 13 PSI. I'd taken the old cap to the auto parts store and they weren't able to match it just from looking at it.