TC40D - overfull crankcase

[dubldee]

Was running the tractor, and noticed a "trail" of liquid on the ground.
Turned out it was coming from the breather.
Took it to the barn immediately, and after it cooled, I checked fluids;
all normal except the crankcase, which showed well over full.
I haven't drained it yet to get a good whiff, but I'm suspecting that I'm blowing diesel into the crankcase. Tractor has 750 hours, and has not had an issue since I bought it with 500 hrs.

Questions: Is it possible to get hydraulic/tranny oil into the crankcase?

If it is diesel, what is the most likely repair scenario for the injector system ($$$)?

There are no other symptoms - tractor starts and runs fine, no smoke.

 

[jinman]

Questions: Is it possible to get hydraulic/tranny oil into the crankcase?

There have been at least two other reports of the same thing happening recently. One was a NH and the other a Case, both Class III tractors. In both of those cases, it was the hydraulic pump shaft seal leaking fluid into the crankcase. Check your hydraulic fluid level. If it's down, I think you've found your problem.

I believe there is a repair kit available for your pump. I checked NH's website and they showed the pump as a unit replacement, but somebody said that messicks.com has a repair kit. Otherwise, you might get the seal replaced at a generic hydraulic shop.

I find this a bit strange that all these reports of hyd pump seals failing are happening right now. It makes me wonder if there may have been a run of pumps with bad seals from the factory. Too bad that kind of info isn't available to us.

 

[JC-jetro]

Was running the tractor, and noticed a "trail" of liquid on the ground.
Turned out it was coming from the breather.
Took it to the barn immediately, and after it cooled, I checked fluids;
all normal except the crankcase, which showed well over full.
I haven't drained it yet to get a good whiff, but I'm suspecting that I'm blowing diesel into the crankcase. Tractor has 750 hours, and has not had an issue since I bought it with 500 hrs.

Questions: Is it possible to get hydraulic/tranny oil into the crankcase?

If it is diesel, what is the most likely repair scenario for the injector system ($$$)?

There are no other symptoms - tractor starts and runs fine, no smoke.

Ditto on what Jim said. if the shaft seal leaks on the pump it can spew hyd fluid in to the timing gear cover. Bad part of it is that you will not see a quick tell tale sign. It may be bad batch of pump. A whiff of crankcase oil may give clue. It is a bit of pain to change shaft seal but it is certainly doable spending a few hours. when I bough my pump overhaul kit it did not include the shaft seal need to be individually purchase. I hope it is not injector as it is high dollar in the neighborhood of $1000.



JC,

 

[jinman]

Took it to the barn immediately, and after it cooled, I checked fluids;
all normal except the crankcase, which showed well over full.

The injector pump on your tractor is driven by lobes on the engine camshaft and not by a shaft as the hydraulic pump is. I think it is less likely to be the source of leakage into the crankcase. The hydraulic reservoir holds almost 10 gallons of fluid, so if you lose some into the crankcase, you might not notice it on the dipstick. I still think the hydraulic pump is the most suspect of the two.

 

[dubldee]

Thanks, guys.

I'm leaning towards the hydraulics myself; I cannot detect a diesel fuel odor in the oil; and I think it would be fairly obvious. Gonna drain the case tomorrow for a better "feel" for the situation (since it has to be done anyways) and that should clearly point out the culprit.

I'll post what I find.

JC - did you get your kit/seal from messicks?

thanks,

dd

 

[JC-jetro]

Thanks, guys.



JC - did you get your kit/seal from messicks?

thanks,

dd

Messicks appears to be a good source but I bought mine from NH dealer. If I remember right the pump kit was $45 and about $10 for the shaft seal.

JC,

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

all models or just the 3 cylinders? i would assume it could be on any of them....

 

[JC-jetro]

all models or just the 3 cylinders? i would assume it could be on any of them....

can you elaborate a bit

Jc,

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

the 35 and the 40 both have the 3 cylinder diesels but the tc45 have the 4 cylinder....

i would assume the pumps are layed out the same and the the engine difference wouldn't matter- they both could have this problem...

can you elaborate a bit

Jc,

 

[dqdave1]

tc 35 is 3 cylinder; tc 40 and up are 4 cylinder