Fresh Oil Smell

bill18163 · Mar 21, 2004

Do you know how you get that smell of oil right after an oil change in your car or tractor? You know it's from small amounts of oil that may have got on the engine etc. but it goes away after awhile because it burns off. Well I have that smell around my B2710 all the time now. Has been doing it for a few months. I know it's not an oil spill because my engine is spotless and it's been months since I changed the oil. No oil on floor of garage, not even a spot. I have heard about pinhole hydraulic fluid leaks and how they can be hard to find and was wondering if what I am smelling is that kind of leak. Anyone have any information that would help on this issue?

Tags · Mar 21, 2004

Bill,
What you are smelling is probably fumes exiting the motor through the crankcase breather, a small tube that may come out of the valve cover and exit some where under the machine. All equipment that I have had over the years has had one, and you may even notice a small amount of smoke exiting the tube, which is called "blow by" and all machines have an amount of blow by that is acceptable, but if the machine is old and has lots of time on it, even if it has been well maintained, things still wear and will create more blow by, this is probably what you are smelling.

nobull1 · Mar 21, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you know how you get that smell of oil right after an oil change in your car or tractor? You know it's from small amounts of oil that may have got on the engine etc. but it goes away after awhile because it burns off. Well I have that smell around my B2710 all the time now. Has been doing it for a few months. I know it's not an oil spill because my engine is spotless and it's been months since I changed the oil. No oil on floor of garage, not even a spot. I have heard about pinhole hydraulic fluid leaks and how they can be hard to find and was wondering if what I am smelling is that kind of leak. Anyone have any information that would help on this issue? )</font>

I used to use Shell rotella oil in all my equipment excavator,tractor, 1 ton etc and found that it gave off a very off odor like someone poured oil on the manifold.The smell in my case did not go away, just got to be a little more acceptable after time.The smell always came from the stink pipe,crankcase vent or whatever you want to call it.I switched to a different oil, smell gone problem solved.A lot of people swear by rotella and it might be the best out there but in my case I did not like the smell.I don't know if you are using Shell oil or not but if you just changed to a new type of oil I bet that is your problem.Some oil just seems to smell more than others and for different periods of time.

Rimmer · Mar 21, 2004

I have noticed this on my BX23 since it was new (now at 60 hours). It really smells like hydraulic/transmission fluid rather than engine oil, and smells "hot" but not "burnt. It is particularly noticable when operating the backhoe. Turns out the HST vent is right under the front of the seat when it is turned to the rear for BH ops -- I'm sure that is the source in my case.

Bird · Mar 21, 2004

I'll bet Rimmer gave you the right answer. This topic has been discussed before and your B2710 also has a hydraulic oil vent under the seat. Now I'm certainly not saying for sure that's what you smell, but I figure that's the most likely source, and of course, if so, no problem.

B2400 · Mar 21, 2004

I have the same effect as Rimmer, once tractor good and warm I have a constant hydro fluid odor. My B7100 did the same thing also.

Henro · Mar 21, 2004

Same here. But I only notice it when using the tractor, not when it is just sitting in the shed.

But my shed is not totally sealed like a garage would be. So maybe that is the reason...

5030 · Mar 21, 2004

Bill:

You want to try some stinky oil?? Mobil Delvac stinks. That's what the company uses in my Western Star. Always stinks after every oil change. I never have to look at the dipstick to know it's been serviced. Just follow my nose.

narcnh · Mar 21, 2004

Man, it pays to read all the posts. I have noticed during the winter an occasional oil smell, more like hydraulic than crankcase, especially when working the FEL hard on my B7800. I could never find any leaks, pinhole or otherwise, and everything seems to work fine. So, it's been one of those 'back of the mind - state of denial' kinds of things.

It's a relief to hear that it's normal. I may not be, but the smell is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

5030 · Mar 22, 2004

Bill:

You sure you aren't smelling that new sewer line behind your pond?? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif