Iseki TS1610, oil coming out of breather cap

Frizlefrak · Oct 30, 2004

Hello all....excellent forum, newb with a question.

I have an Iseki TS1610 I have owned for about 2 years now. Has performed flawlessly until yesterday. I went to blade my driveway, and after about 10 minutes of running, it started spewing oil (lots of it) out of the breather cap. I shut it off, let it sit for a few minutes, and cleaned the breather cap (figuring it was clogged). Started it back up, same problem 10 minutes later.

Breather cap is flowing just fine. I removed the cap and ran the engine again and watched. The hole in the valve cover where the breather cap fits began filling with oil in about 10 minutes.

Soooo.....it seems like the valve cover is filling up with oil....like it's not draining back into the pan. It eventually overflows and runs out the cap, and down all over the place.

What do you guys think is causing this? Does this sound like sludge buildup? I removed the valve cover and didn't see anything obvious, but it could be obstructed further down where the pushrods come out. Is it possible that it is somehow pumping TOO much oil up? If so, what should I do to correct the problem?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Great to find a forum with a section dedicated exclusively to Iseki tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

larso1 · Oct 31, 2004

Hello,
I have the same model Iseki as you, with 4x4. I also had the same problem with oil gushing out the breather. Must be somewhat common with these Isuzu motors since there are others who have experienced it. In my case, it turned out to be worn rockers and rocker shaft. You should be able to remove the valve cover, start up the motor, and watch oil flow copiously from the rockers/shaft onterface. You could probably just have the plain bearings replaced in the rockers by a machine shop, but I replaced it all with new. It solved my problem, will probably solve yours too. Oil just can't get down the pushrod tunnels fast enough and that's the only route for the oil to return to the pan. For a cheap and fast fix, you could throttle back the flow of oil to the head via that external rocker oil supply line on the right side of the motor.
Good luck!
Bill in CO

Frizlefrak · Nov 1, 2004

Bill.....thanks for the excellent info. I found a post on a different forum from someone with the same symptoms, which turned out to be exactly the same diagnosis as you gave. Looks like the mystery is solved.

I have a couple of questions....Where did you order your new rocker arms and shaft? I was looking at Homestead tractor's website, and I though I might give them a call on monday. Also, how did you adjust the rockers once you replaced them? I've set valve lash on small block Chevy's for years, but this is my first foray into a small diesel engine.

I really love this Iseki tractor.....I have run the heck out of it for two years now with no problems until this weekend. I want to put a front end loader on it, as I use it primarily for blading my driving, but want to do some earthmoving on my acreage.

Again, I really appreciate the advice.

Dan AKA Frizlefrak /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

larso1 · Nov 1, 2004

Dan, contact me at my email address and I'll give you the source for all of the mail-order Isuzu motor parts I get. I'm at billyboy200050@yahoo.com.

Bill

Frizlefrak · Nov 1, 2004

Email sent. Thanks Bill

Lem · Aug 11, 2018

larso1 said:
Hello,
I have the same model Iseki as you, with 4x4. I also had the same problem with oil gushing out the breather. Must be somewhat common with these Isuzu motors since there are others who have experienced it. In my case, it turned out to be worn rockers and rocker shaft. You should be able to remove the valve cover, start up the motor, and watch oil flow copiously from the rockers/shaft onterface. You could probably just have the plain bearings replaced in the rockers by a machine shop, but I replaced it all with new. It solved my problem, will probably solve yours too. Oil just can't get down the pushrod tunnels fast enough and that's the only route for the oil to return to the pan. For a cheap and fast fix, you could throttle back the flow of oil to the head via that external rocker oil supply line on the right side of the motor.
Good luck!
Bill in CO

How would you suggest on how to throttle back the flow of oil to the head thru the supply line. My top end is oiling lots and can hook up to 120 to heat the antifreeze and heads and it doesn't do the running out of the valve cover filter. Only if it sets overnight and the oil in the sump gets cold and use glow plugs to start next morning does the oil run out valve cover thru filter cap. With top engine heated takes care of it.