Mahindra 2538 HST oil and Engine Oil too clean?

[Snowback]

So after 35+/- hours, both oils are still clear to my eye. I was expecting manufacturing slag and burrs to make it dirtier after this much run time.

There is so little discoloration that I can hardly see the level on the dipstick, or recognize the very slight shadow of the level line at the rear HST oil level window. I think I like this, but wanted to confirm I'm not losing my eyesight or mind.

Is everyone else seeing extremely clean oils after early run ins with their mCRDs and 25 series Hydros? Thanks.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Hydro oils typically stay clean looking as they are away from the combustion pollution. I actually found a John Deere product that I added to my hydro oil so I could see it on the dipstick. Even after 100 hrs I couldn't see the fluid level without the JD dye.

Can't speak to the mcrd engine, but clean is good.

 

[Snowback]

Hydro oils typically stay clean looking as they are away from the combustion pollution. I actually found a John Deere product that I added to my hydro oil so I could see it on the dipstick. Even after 100 hrs I couldn't see the fluid level without the JD dye.

Can't speak to the mcrd engine, but clean is good.

Agreed on clean is good - thanks for the input. I could have sworn there was a little more color on the old Max's hydro oil early on, but perhaps I was remembering the engine oil. It too was relatively clean at 30-50hrs, but this mCRD is clear as water. I'll need to check out the dye. Thanks for that good tip for the somewhat visually impaired!

 

[Cramby]

My Max 26XL engine oil after 25hrs is clear as new. I have never seen a diesel engine stay that clean for so long. but my experience is with Detroit Diesel engines.

 

[jb1390]

So after 35+/- hours, both oils are still clear to my eye. I was expecting manufacturing slag and burrs to make it dirtier after this much run time.

There is so little discoloration that I can hardly see the level on the dipstick, or recognize the very slight shadow of the level line at the rear HST oil level window. I think I like this, but wanted to confirm I'm not losing my eyesight or mind.

Is everyone else seeing extremely clean oils after early run ins with their mCRDs and 25 series Hydros? Thanks.

I just did a complete fluid change on my 3550 (hydro, engine, front axle) - and I felt wasteful - I used clean containers for the hydraulic oil so I can use it in the log splitter and chipper. The engine oil was pretty clean as well - and I have almost 500 hours on it (did my initial change at 50-100 hours from what I recall). Regarding the filings - every single plug I took out was magnetic. The manual only shows one for transmission - there were 3 that I found. There were also 3 for the front axle, and 2 for the engine oil. They all had some metal, but very small filings like expected.

The new engine oil that went in didn't look much different in color from the stuff that was drained. Very different from my old deere 300.

 

[mcfarmall]

It has been my understanding from attending Noria Lubrication classes that engine oil turns black after running for a period of time because the detergents in the oil are trapping the combustion by-products and keeping them in suspension. Perhaps the engine oil from your tractor appears "clean" due to the tighter manufacturing tolerances in todays engines resulting in less blow-by and contamination of the oil. As far as the transmission and front axle lubricants, I would expect them to look "clean" after draining unless they have been contaminated due to some external source. The last place I worked we changed oil in the hydraulic units on the machinery yearly after running 24-5 and it looked like the same stuff coming out of the drum. I got permission to take several 5 gallon buckets home to use in the tractor, log splitter, etc..

The Mahindra video posted by another member shows a high tech robotic wash cell that cleans the tractor parts prior to assembly resulting in less contamination.

 

[Snowback]

My Max 26XL engine oil after 25hrs is clear as new. I have never seen a diesel engine stay that clean for so long. but my experience is with Detroit Diesel engines.

Ha! Yes - the big 'ol 12.7 Detroits would give a guy some black oil for sure.

I just did a complete fluid change on my 3550 (hydro, engine, front axle) - and I felt wasteful - I used clean containers for the hydraulic oil so I can use it in the log splitter and chipper. The engine oil was pretty clean as well - and I have almost 500 hours on it (did my initial change at 50-100 hours from what I recall). Regarding the filings - every single plug I took out was magnetic. The manual only shows one for transmission - there were 3 that I found. There were also 3 for the front axle, and 2 for the engine oil. They all had some metal, but very small filings like expected.

The new engine oil that went in didn't look much different in color from the stuff that was drained. Very different from my old deere 300.

Good to hear on all the magnetic drain plugs. Hopefully I will have the same bonus features on this one! Those really should be standard items on all new equipment and vehicles. (Both engine or tranny.) Good way to see if things are slowly going wrong before catastrophe strikes - but it's sometimes hard to tell where the filings came from.

It has been my understanding from attending Noria Lubrication classes that engine oil turns black after running for a period of time because the detergents in the oil are trapping the combustion by-products and keeping them in suspension. Perhaps the engine oil from your tractor appears "clean" due to the tighter manufacturing tolerances in todays engines resulting in less blow-by and contamination of the oil. As far as the transmission and front axle lubricants, I would expect them to look "clean" after draining unless they have been contaminated due to some external source. The last place I worked we changed oil in the hydraulic units on the machinery yearly after running 24-5 and it looked like the same stuff coming out of the drum. I got permission to take several 5 gallon buckets home to use in the tractor, log splitter, etc..

The Mahindra video posted by another member shows a high tech robotic wash cell that cleans the tractor parts prior to assembly resulting in less contamination.

Good input - thanks for that. I'll need to go find that video on parts washing! I have been really impressed with Mahindra's new factories making the Mahindra Navistar trucks. German robots, and it's clean as a kitchen table! Perhaps the mCRD plant is similarly clean and tight.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't think it has anything to do with clearances or quality of engine. My LS engine oil was clean as new when I changed it at 50 hours (per OEM reqmts) but when I but in a high detergent diesel grade oil (SHELL ROTELLA T6) it was black as coal within a few hours.

I attribute the clean oil to a break in oil which has no detergent qualities. Some folks now claim that there is no break in oil requirement for engines but I disagree and see that at least on some engines do have break in oil in them. IF your diesel engine oil is clean after 10 hours of run time it has a non-detergent break in oil in the crankcase. I guarantee that you will find it black after running a good quality diesel oil in it after the initial change.

Edit: I didn't intend to infer that the OEM oil should be changed at 10 hours. Run it till change time as per OEM specs which is usually 50 hours for diesel tractor engines.

 

[Snowback]

I don't think it has anything to do with clearances or quality of engine. My LS engine oil was clean as new when I changed it at 50 hours (per OEM reqmts) but when I but in a high detergent diesel grade oil (SHELL ROTELLA T6) it was black as coal within a few hours.

I attribute the clean oil to a break in oil which has no detergent qualities. Some folks now claim that there is no break in oil requirement for engines but I disagree and see that at least on some engines do have break in oil in them. IF your diesel engine oil is clean after 10 hours of run time it has a non-detergent break in oil in the crankcase. I guarantee that you will find it black after running a good quality diesel oil in it after the initial change.

Edit: I didn't intend to infer that the OEM oil should be changed at 10 hours. Run it till change time as per OEM specs which is usually 50 hours for diesel tractor engines.

Time for some testing! I love science. Thanks for this input - definitely will be able to figure it out empirically after the first change assuming the Mahindra 15w-40 oil I plan on using is different than what is in there now. This engine has an EGR system and the gasses enter right at the oil filler cap. I was thinking it would be a little bit dirty by now, but perhaps the DOC is burning up a vast majority of the residuals, or the combustion process is just really efficient at the combustion chamber.

 

[Jabonee]

It has been my understanding from attending Noria Lubrication classes that engine oil turns black after running for a period of time because the detergents in the oil are trapping the combustion by-products and keeping them in suspension. Perhaps the engine oil from your tractor appears "clean" due to the tighter manufacturing tolerances in todays engines resulting in less blow-by and contamination of the oil. As far as the transmission and front axle lubricants, I would expect them to look "clean" after draining unless they have been contaminated due to some external source. The last place I worked we changed oil in the hydraulic units on the machinery yearly after running 24-5 and it looked like the same stuff coming out of the drum. I got permission to take several 5 gallon buckets home to use in the tractor, log splitter, etc..

The Mahindra video posted by another member shows a high tech robotic wash cell that cleans the tractor parts prior to assembly resulting in less contamination.

You are correct. That is how engine manufactures are able to achieve tier 4 EPA specs. for that HP engine. Thats how Doosan did it with the Bobcat and Mahindra engines and not needing a DPF. :thumbsup: