Smoke out of breather pipe

[Orangetree]

I have been using my tractor today with a trailer and chainsaw clearing up some trees that had fallen due to the storms we have had in the UK. When I was walking towards the tractor when it was running I noticed a small amount of smoke coming out of what I believe to be the crankcase breather pipe( It is the pipe which comes out of the top of the engine near the oil filler cap). There was also a small amount of oil on the end of the pipe.

The tractor is a grey Import Kubota B5000, so no spring chicken! Probably made in the seventy’s. I have owned it for about three years and have never had any problems with it. I have carried out basic service work on it. I just use it to tow a small trailer. But I don’t know its history.

It start easily (after Kubota’s recommended heater plug time is reached) and runs well and does not smoke, and does not use any oil or water.
So I am wondering if something needs to be done to the engine as some kind of catastrophic failure is imminent or if is ok to just go on using the tractor?. From my limited mechanical knowledge I guess that the piston rings or bores are worn and this is allowing air to escape.
It may be that it has always been like that and that this is just the first time I have noticed it.
Thanks Regards James

 

[Rob]

Hi James, sounds like you have been doing the same as myself, major tree damage cleanup , again...
Anyway, to be honest if you service it regularly and you are not having any other problems like power loss or overheating etc etc, i wouln'nt touch the engine at this stage, if its only a small amount i wouldnt worry to much, certainly not worth stripping anything down unless you have other engine problems and symtoms of wear and tear.
Its going to have had a fair bit of use to date, but then most small kubotas have also, its like they say " its not the years ,its the milage"
I have B8200 that burns a little oil just like yours, not a lot and not all the time, it still runs like a tank and will do so all day long.
Just keep up the maintance , you could go on for years just with it and not have any issues.

good luck with the clean up.

rob

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's quite normal for them to have a little blow by at that age, as long as it starts good, and doesn't blow out too much oil your fine.
If the oil blow out gets to be too much it probably just needs the screen/ filter cleaned that's in the top of the valve cover but, but I wouldn't worry about it unless it get excessive.

 

[mike paulson]

Totally normal for a diesel engine, I work on International, Cummins and Mercedes diesels and they all do it especially when running them hard. Many will leave a trail of oil spray under the chassis.

 

[Piker]

No piston/ring seal is perfect & the crankcases are vented for a reason. Unlike newer cars/trucks with EGR systems (& Gawd knows what else nowadays) the crankcase vent is exposed & visible rather than plumbed back into the intake to be burned. My 1980 B7100 with 2800 hrs. uses absolutely no oil, starts easy, has plenty of power but I can see a very small amount of smoke out the vent tube when up to temp & working fairly hard. Drive it, enjoy the little fella (girl?) & don't worry about it.

 

[Orangetree]

Hi Rob yes we have had quite a lot of tree damage. I have already spent ten days clearing up trees and there is still a lot more work to do. But we have been lucky as we have not had any flooding. I feel sorry for all the people who have had lives disrupted and their houses ruined by flood water. I do find it quite satisfying clearing up the odd tree but it does seem to be never ending at the moment and it does sap my enthusiasm.

My B5000 has been great I have been using it for all kinds of things- log skidding, towing a trailer and even as a control while I cut damaged branches.
I have not had any other problems with my tractor. It starts easily and runs well and I have not noticed any loss of power. I think it is very plucky for its size and modest horsepower. I shall continue to enjoy my tractor and not worry.

Thanks for every bodies words of wisdom this is what makes this site so great!

 

[Neire]

Sorry for bringing up this old post.

Is it a "problem" when you see it when running stationary?

No powerloss, no remarkable oilconsumption.. also b5000. I dont know the hours on the counter..

Tnx!

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[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is it a "problem" when you see it when running stationary?
No powerloss, no remarkable oilconsumption.. also b5000. I dont know the hours on the counter..

Same as earlier:
It's quite normal for them to have a little blow by at that age, as long as it starts good, and doesn't blow out too much oil your fine.
If the oil blow out gets to be too much it probably just needs the screen/ filter cleaned that's in the top of the valve cover but, but I wouldn't worry about it unless it get excessive.