Gunk/Varnish Build Up On Engine Oil Plug

[Woodstock Walt]

Hi, all.

2019 Mahindra 4540 with 230 hrs.

I changed the engine oil at 50 hrs. and refilled with Mahindra 15w-40 upon my dealer's recommendation.

Today at 230 hrs. I drained the oil and replaced with Chevron/DELO 5w-40 synthetic to help with cold starts. It's what I should've used when I serviced it at 50 hrs.

Anyways, when I wiped off the drain plugs I noticed what looked like a buildup of sludge around the plug and crush washer.

After removing the sludge with a pick I found it was hard, brittle, and varnish-like.

I reinstalled the cleaned plugs and refilled with the 5w-40 syn, tractor runs great and seems noticeably smoother and quieter at idle. Is that buildup of varnish on the drain plugs something I should be concerned about? What would cause that? Should I be worried about varnish buildup in other parts of the engine?

This occurred using dealer-recommended Mahindra engine oil with 180 hrs. of service life.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions you might have. Thank you!

 

[Hay Dude]

if you still have the drain oil and it was put into a clean bucket, you could send it out for analysis.

 

[Woodstock Walt]

if you still have the drain oil and it was put into a clean bucket, you could send it out for analysis.

I actually saved a quart of it for that reason, I'm just not sure what the best option is for having it analyzed. I am familiar with the concept, I've just never personally sent oil out to be analyzed. Is there a specific lab or company you'd recommend?

 

[Hay Dude]

I actually saved a quart of it for that reason, I'm just not sure what the best option is for having it analyzed. I am familiar with the concept, I've just never personally sent oil out to be analyzed. Is there a specific lab or company you'd recommend?

Blackstone. I use them whenever I can.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

 

[ruffdog]

It looks like a thread sealer applied by OEMs to ensure no leaks from the factory. The sealer will also serve as a anti-galling agent as it is assembled when dry and will ensure the plug will come out later. Some sealers are put on as a liquid at the manufacturer and others are put on the plug threads at the plug manufacturer and are dry at the time of install. This looks like the liquid type.

Amazon.com

 

[ruffdog]

Also, copper plug sealing washers are normally a one-time use as the copper actually gets hardened when compressed. Same with aluminum ones, so, have spares.

 

[Hay Dude]

Could be, but he probably would have wiped all that off or noticed it on first oil change at 50 hours.
Anything is possible.….
Oil analysis is the only way to eliminate guessing

 

[oldballs]

Concerning the copper crush washers, .......I've never replaced one with a new washer yet. Even though I've read about the need for it, I've always used the OE on trucks, cars, and Kubotas. and never had a leak....... yet.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[def38]

Anneal the copper washer with a torch and reuse it. I have done that with copper head gaskets on my motorcycle engine for years with no issues. Some factories recommend it. As for engine oil, I never use the factory recommended house brand oil. I have no idea who makes the Mahindra oil. Using a brand name like Delo, Rotella or Delvac (my choice) is the best insurance for quality oils. Even the Wal-Mart brand Supertech is a VG oil. It is made by Warren Petroleum, a large, trusted refiner and blender.

Don't forget the oil filter. House brands may be fine to get you past the warranty. I use Wix filters whenever possible. They are often less costly than the house brand. Thay are owned by the Germans and are known for quality.

As mentioned, Blackstone is a good source for oil analysis. They will provide comments with the analysis. Also, you may want to call them and ask about your drain plug debris.

Keep us posted as to the outcome.

 

[Hay Dude]

Anneal the copper washer with a torch and reuse it. I have done that with copper head gaskets on my motorcycle engine for years with no issues. Some factories recommend it. As for engine oil, I never use the factory recommended house brand oil. I have no idea who makes the Mahindra oil. Using a brand name like Delo, Rotella or Delvac (my choice) is the best insurance for quality oils. Even the Wal-Mart brand Supertech is a VG oil. It is made by Warren Petroleum, a large, trusted refiner and blender.

Don't forget the oil filter. House brands may be fine to get you past the warranty. I use Wix filters whenever possible. They are often less costly than the house brand. Thay are owned by the Germans and are known for quality.

As mentioned, Blackstone is a good source for oil analysis. They will provide comments with the analysis. Also, you may want to call them and ask about your drain plug debris.

Keep us posted as to the outcome.

Interesting comment about the WalMart oil…
Never knew Warren Petroleum made it!
LSNE (learn something new everyday)
Thanks

 

[Woodstock Walt]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys.
Ruffdog, it had occurred to me that it might be something along the lines of a factory thread sealer like you mentioned. My only reason for dismissing that possibility earlier was, as Hay Dude suggested, I think I would've noticed it during the first oil change.

I've left a message with my dealer (Knoxland Equip.) asking about the possibility of it being factory thread sealer.

As for the copper crush washer, I realize they are intended to be one-time use. I thought I had a couple spares on hand, but I guess I don't. I've ordered some. As def38 suggested, if I have to reuse a copper crush washer I like to heat them briefly with a torch and clean them up a little with a scuff pad. I've had a pretty high success rate with reusing them by doing this.

I've got a couple Blackstone test kits on the way as well, so I'll send out some of the Mahindra oil and report back when I get the results.

The dealer gave us a deal on everything we would need for the 50 hr. service, thus the Mahindra oil. I doubt I'll be using that stuff ever again.

On a side note, I did my first stone-cold startup of the tractor with the 5w-40 synthetic this morning. With the Mahindra 15w-40 oil, if the ambient outdoor temp was anything less than 10*F, my tractor simply would not start without being plugged in. Didn't matter how many times I cycled the glow plugs. You could tell there was just so much resistance from the thick oil, the engine really struggled to turn over. Lots of exhaust smoke, but it just seemed like it wouldn't crank hard enough to fire the engine.

Just for comparison purposes, I tried to start it at 5*F this morning after the tractor sat all night without being plugged in. One glow plug cycle, hit the key and could instantly tell the engine turned over with significantly less resistance. Fired up after about three seconds of cranking, which absolutely would never have happened with the thick 15w-40 in the case.

So, big thumbs up from me on the 5w-40 synthetic. As I've previously said, it's what I should've used at the 50 hr. service without a doubt.

 

[Sberry]

Dont worry about the plug or the washer either if its not leaking.

 

[coobie]

Interesting comment about the WalMart oil…
Never knew Warren Petroleum made it!
LSNE (learn something new everyday)
Thanks

I have always used the Walmart brand full synthetic oil in my beater trucks with no issues.I also use Wix XP oil filters.

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[Woodstock Walt]

Here's a short video I made showing the difference between the 15w-40 and 5w-40.

 

[Williy]

I have seen plastic washers used for a
seal and they do get brittle

willy