B1550E Engine Oil Filthy

[Vinto]

I bought the wife a 500 hour 1996 B1550 HST for mowing in the vinyard as she was reluctant work with my NH TC-45D with 84" mmm. I bought the mower sight unseen but with detailed pictures. The tractor is in excellent shape for its age externally but when I changed the oil on delivery the oil was exceptionally filthy. I filled it up with Rotella T Syn 5-40W and mowed for less than an hour. I rechecked the oil level and the oil was filthy already. So was the engine just sludged internally from too long an OCI and the Rotella doing its HDEO job? I thought I would run it another 20 hours and do another change and the same procedure. My TC-45D keeps its Delvac 1 oil pretty clean past 70 hours so I am a little shocked at the oil going pitch black in less than an hour.

Any ideas? If the previous owner pulled a 300 hour OCI is the engine doomed? I bought the mower at an estate sale so I could not talk with the previous owner.

Thanks,

Vinto

 

[Junkman]

Oil is cheap...... run it with inexpensive oil for 15 - 20 hour intervals and then dump and refill. Change the filter also on the same schedule and after 3 or 4 changes, the engine should be considerably cleaner inside. Then use your favorite brand of oil and keep an eye on it. You might want to consider a oil test at that time to determine the overall interior condition. I can't see any other alternative, since you are not going to tear down a running engine just to clean the inside of the block. As for its longevity, it is anyones guess as to how long it will last. I have seen abused engines go much longer than I would have thought they would and I have seen engines that have been cared for fall apart prematurely. Engines longevity, like human life is never predictable... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

My first thought was "how did you determine the oil was filthy, was it just because it looked black", which is quite common for diesels, but then I realized you have another diesel tractor, so I assume you're familiar with that. And did you change the filter when you changed the oil? If so, then, yes, I'd just change the oil & filter at very short intervals a couple of times and see if it doesn't clear up.

 

[sandyc]

Welcome...
If you look at the Amsoil site you will see that you can pay to get your oil analized....might want to do it to ensure that that there isn't anything real bad going on.

 

[rbcsaver]

Unless you have the POs maintence logs it is tough to know the frequency of prior oil and filter changes. Synthetic oils will dissolve built-up sludge left by the dino oils. I would do a few syn oil and filter changes at short 15 hour intervals.

I would also change the HST fluid, filters and clean the tranny screen, unless you have documentation that the PO did it.
regards,
Steve