JD 4100 burning 1 qt of oil every 5-10 hours

coloradotrout · Oct 20, 2005

Looking for how to diagnose the problem and options to resolve. JD 4100 has 3 cyl Yanmar engine with 1093 hours. I bought it used at 1079 hours. From 1079 to about 1088 it used about a quart. I did a filter/oil change. From 1088 to 1093 it used 33oz. It was a rental. Previous owner is willing to work with me on a resolution.

What steps would you suggest I take? Compression test? Other? It seems to run fine.. just burning oil.. no oil leaks that I can tell. Seems to have good power when running, of course I don't really have anything to compare it with.

What steps should I have the dealer take? Any thoughts on when to tear into the engine vs buy a new one vs buy a rebuilt?

Just looking for ideas.. thanks

hudr · Oct 20, 2005

I would definitely go in for a compression test as you may have a ring issue if it is actually burning that much oil. Also, is the hydraulic fluid level staying the same. We had an old JD that cracked a transmission case and was leaking oil into the hydraulic reservoir. If there are no visible leaks outside, the oil must be going somewhere, either out the stack or into another system.

Farwell · Oct 20, 2005

After you have checked everything out for leaks, compression, etc, you might think about trying a little heavier oil, 30 wt for example, this may help.
Farwell

Charolais · Oct 20, 2005

I had a 574 IH that did that. It happened after a lower radiator hose broke and the tractor got hot. It didn't boil but got hotter than normal. My Dad was running the tractor and kept adding water for about 2 hrs. trying to fihish a job.

The tractor had some age on it and the extra heat make the valve seals crack. Once that happened it started useing oil. About a quart every 30 hrs. Put new valve seals in and it took care of the oil problem. This may not be your problem but I'd get someone that knows what to look for to check it before doing a complete engine overhaul. Remember it doesn't have to boil over to get hot enough to crack the seals on the valves. They get brittle with age anyway.

This tractor had some blue smoke when it was first started but cleard up after warming up. Never saw blue smoke while working it but once it was up to temp. and let it idle for a few minutes the blue smoke would show up soon.

Let us know what you find. Please.

coloradotrout · Oct 20, 2005

Some good suggestions here.

Hydro fluid seems to be steady or slightly declining.. got a small "drip drip" leak at the pressure side of the pump. Thought it was an o-ring, but replaced that and it's still leaking.

The idea about the overheated, and damage to valve seals is a good point. I will take it into the JD dealer next week to do a compression test and I'll comment about the valves. That seems very similar.. at startup it shoots out a big puff of black smoke and then there is some blue-ish smoke. It seems to clear up some when under a load -- but it's really hard to tell. Seems to run fine though.. good power..

Any other ideas?

deere755 · Oct 20, 2005

What does the air filter look like. If it is really plugged up it will use oil.

mchild · Oct 21, 2005

I am new to tractors, but not to motors. If this motor is turbo charged you may want to check the seals in the turbo. An oil leak there won't be seen and it will suck a lot of oil into the intake manifold and cylinders.

Good luck,

Mark

coloradotrout · Oct 21, 2005

re: air filter .. good pt, this unit was not well serviced IMO. But I did pull the outer and inner filters off.. and taped them out a bit and used compressed air to blowout the outer filter. Maybe I should still go ahead and replace both.

coloradotrout · Oct 21, 2005

re: turbo -- not turbo as far as I know. Yanmar 3TNE74, 3 cyl

coloradotrout · Oct 21, 2005

re: air filter -- found something -- the little red indicator does not work; so when I pop the hood and look at it, it shows no red or OK. So I pulled it off and suck on it.. red indicator drops down, but does not stay. In the meantime the cheapo plastic threads on it are shot -- wrap some teflon tap around it and get it back together. I fire up the engine, wide open, and the red indicator is all red. I pull the outer filter, still all red, I pull off the inner filter and NO red. So I'm off to get some filters.. we'll see. Inner filter has what looks like a date on it '00, which would suggest to me the inner filter was never changed. I'd hope.. that a plugged filter would keep dirt out.. thus maybe, just mabe, I'm ok.