L 35 smokey vent tube

teter · May 12, 2011

Just bought a 1996 L 35 with 720 hrs seems like there is smoke out of the vent tube when I rev up the motor is this normal

BeezFun · May 12, 2011

Do you mean out the exhaust, or do you really mean one of the vent tubes? I've rented a few L35s for bigger jobs, I can't say I recall them smoking other than when you first start them up.

teter · May 12, 2011

it is the rubber vent tube that seems smokey when I rev the motor then is fine

Blkvoodoo · May 12, 2011

this is called a "draft" tube and it is normal to see "smoke" which is most usually steam and vapors coming out of this tube when engine is or has been worked and is at operating temp.

you won't find this on newer equipment ('02+) due to emissions regs.

look at some of the older over the road trucks, you'll see similar from under the engine of those as well .

Chilly807 · May 12, 2011

Crankcase vent tube is what you're referring to, I think.

Any gases that leak past the piston rings need to be evacuated from the crankcase, in newer engines subject to EPA regulations they are routed back into the intake system to be burned. Older engines simply vented them to atmosphere.

A certain amount of leakage past the rings is normal, if you start having trouble keeping the dipstick in the engine that's not normal.

Sean

rmk700 · May 12, 2011

teter said:
Just bought a 1996 L 35 with 720 hrs seems like there is smoke out of the vent tube when I rev up the motor is this normal

Is it a lot of smoke? I've got a older L35 (400hrs now) and can't say I've seen any smoke out of the vent hose. Not saying it isn't happening. It's just that I've not noticed it .

Curious to how much you paid for it?

Texas Fella · May 13, 2011

It all depends. Upon start up and warm up, you may see a little somke from the vent tube and it is no big deal if you do (or don't). Once it is up to operating temperature, it should not really smoke from the vent tube. Being that it is a used peice of equipment (you do not know the history of it) I would not be too worried about it unless it is vast amounts. If it is enought to keep the mosquitos off of you when running the tractor, it is too much. I agree with the previous post, if you have an issue with the dip stick popping out, then there is an issue. Also, at least at first, you may want to check the oil on a regulare basis and be sure that it is not "making oil". This means that diesel is running down the cylinder walls and filling up the cankcase (there are several causes of this). If it ain't dump'in diesel in the crankcase and the dipstick stays in, run it as long as you can. To be honest, if there is a small issue with the cylinder walls from some past "accidnet", you are not going to make it much worse by using the tractor. Just keep good oil in it, clean air filter, and keep the radiator clean. You may also want to watch your exhaust pipe. If the exhaust is clean or normal (not a lot of smoke) then I really would not be concerned. Just my opinion, hope it helps.

teter · May 14, 2011

Thanks for the reply's bought the L35 for 16000 to use here on my 10 acres for landscaping. I used a L48 last summer and really enjoyed it and had been looking for that when I ran across the L35 just changed all the filters and oils. The smoke is enough at times to keep the black flies away here in Vermont