JM 284 Oil Leak

[jsavarese]

Guys,

I need some assistance with an engine oil leak on my JM-284 with just over 50 hours. The leak seems to be from the oil filter assembly, not from the filter - assembly mating (there's a factory filter on it with good gasket seal).

On the oil filter mounting assembly, on the side facing the front of the tractor, there's a large nut on what looks to be a threaded tube (threaded inside and outside). Inside that tube is an approximately 3/8 inch solid metal square with a slot across the center which can be turned in both directions with little effort. This is where it looks like the oil leak is originating.

I have looked in my manuals and can find the [oil filter assembly] but there is no explanation of this adjustable valve, which is what I suspect it to be, to possibly adjust the relief pressure should the oil filter become clogged. So to my questions, for Greg, John, Chip, Tommy, or any of you guys out there with the answers: (1) Is this a pressure relief valve adjustment for the oil filter; (2) Is it supposed to have a threaded cover on it (it looks clean and unpainted as opposed to the surrounding black painted assembly, like there was some sort of cover installed at one time - - - and if so, is there a part number for this now missing cover; (3) If it is the suspected valve, how is it adjusted. I do not want to crank it tighter in an attempt to stop the leak and then cause a more serious problem with the pressure relief.

Any advise from the experts out there would be greatly appreciated . . .

Jim

 

[bluechip]

Jim,
That is the oil pressure regulator, it is used to adjust the max oil pressure the engine can generate. There is normally a cap over the end to protect the adjustment. turning the adjustment compresses a spring which holds a ball against a seat. More tension mean higher pressure to displace the ball allowing excess oil to dump directly back to the pan (not supposed to leak but I have not taken this apart, I suspect an O ring seals the shaft.) Perhaps the cap would be enough to hold the drip, if it is gushing, I would consider replacing the entire filter housing/regulator assembly. It is not a bad job.

 

[jsavarese]

Chip,

Well I didn't expect this adjustment to control the oil pressure of the entire engine. Guess it's a good thing I asked before I cranked on it and blew out all the seals!

The leak is more than a drip but it's not gushing either. If sitting in one place at above idle (say doing back hoe work), there will be a small puddle in 15-30 minutes, which is an excessive loss of oil in my opinion.

Is there a part number for the missing cover, or is it only available with the entire unit? I suspect the amount of oil exiting the valve might be contained by the cover. I'd like to see if this is the case, before I order a complete assembly. Is this cover available as a separate part, or only as part of the entire assembly?

 

[bluechip]

We stock the assembly, but it may be that the cap is available as a separate part. I won't be at my office/books till Monday. If it is separate, it will be shown inthe engine parts book.
The assembly is not very expensive.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I suspect the amount of oil exiting the valve might be contained by the cover. )</font>

If you're still using OE fluids/filters/et cetera, you simply may have a clogged up filter canister. Before ordering anything, I think I'd see how a fresh new filter impacts the issue. I used WIX 51626 on mine.

//greg//

 

[jsavarese]

Greg,
It's been leaking for a while but seems a little worse these last 5-10 hours. I thought the same thing about the filter but I just changed all of the fluids again, at the 50 hour mark, including the engine oil. I installed the second spare oil filter that came with the tractor, without any improvement. So I'm thinking the missing (lost) cover contained the leak, stopping it completely or at least making it much less noticeable.

I certainly don't mind spending the money on a complete new assembly, but hate to pull the old one for just the missing cover. I don't see the cover as a separate part (part number) in my manuals so unless there's a better parts breakdown out there, a complete new assembly may be my only option. That is, unless there's someone out there who has changed theirs out for one reason or another, and they still have the old one laying around the garage. Anyone?

 

[greg_g]

My engine manual doesn't help either, YT385-1-09300 Oil Filter Assembly shows no further parts breakdown. Unfortunately, my Y385s are long gone. But I can't help but think there's an O-ring in the path of that adjustment bolt. Think I'd be tempted to count the number of turns it took to remove that bolt, and just see for sure if it's not just something as simple as a seal. Even if it's not, you still now know how many turns it takes to return it to the original position.

//greg//

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

jsavarese, I don't think I have a answer for you....nothing I have shows a cap.....does not mean it is not suppose to have one ? and I have never taken one apart.

If you want to try and repair that one ?? I would confirm you had access to a replacement Monday. Then I would screw in a accurate hand held oil pressure gauge in the engine at operating temp, at idle rpm and see youre known [actual] engine oil pressure. Then watch youre gauge and turn the screw and see how sensitive the adjustment is?? Then count threads to get you close if you go back together and find out what seals it.

If it is suppose to have a cap...maybe pressure pushed it off over time ???

Let us know

Ronald
Ranch Hand Supply

 

[RonMar]

Page 4-4 of the Y85 series diesel engine ops and maintnance manual shows a diagram of the filter mount/pressure regulator and talks about adjusting the oil pressure. In the manual they talk about a lock nut but do not mention a cap.

My spring 2005 production 284 has a metal screw on cap and flat washer over the square oil pressure adjustment screw you described. It is not like the diagram in the manual but that manual looks like it has been around for a bit and has probably not been updated to reflect current production.

I left my camera at work or I would attach a pic of mine. I can take one of my assembly on Monday if you want one.

 

[ToolManRick]

It's not listed as a seperate item in my parts book, but it does look to be a standard metric acorn nut backed up with a rubberized washer, see photo attachment. Where I live it might be hard to buy off the shelf, but I'm sure one can be purchased in a bigger city.