Smoke irritating my lungs - how much smoke is normal?

[pretendfarmer]

I have shared in the past that my tractor smokes a bit. I get both the typical black diesel smoke (unburned fuel) but also a slight burning oil smell. The engine has no problem starting so I feel the compression is fine, and it runs really well. That said, I ran it for several hours yesterday and felt a bit wheezy afterwards. I am concerned about my health. I think I will wear a respirator next time I use it, but am wondering how much smoke is normal? When I run at 2k rpm's or so, there is barely a hint, but if I crank up the throttle really hard from idle it smokes more, or if I put it under a really heavy load.

 

[California]

You might aim the muffler tip away from the tractor to reduce this.

 

[pretendfarmer]

You might aim the muffler tip away from the tractor to reduce this.

Thanks for the reply. It is aimed in about the best direction away possible, forward and to the right.

 

[FleetMan]

In addition to turning the exhaust tip, can you extend the exhaust pipe about two feet higher to get the smoke and fumes further away from you?

 

[CADplans]

Is the air filter dirty?
Fuel filter?
I have three Yanmar engined tractors,other than startup, there is zero smell,,,

 

[pretendfarmer]

Is the air filter dirty?
Fuel filter?
I have three Yanmar engined tractors,other than startup, there is zero smell,,,

The air filter is almost brand new. I know it's burning oil, but I also get black smoke at times and that alone can irritate my respiratory system as well. I am going to track just how much oil it is using (quarts per hour). I'd like to figure out what is causing that.

 

[oldballs]

To my recollection, most visible diesel smoke comes on start up, but not running at working speeds. So, it sounds like your machine is "burning oil". It may need some mechanical attention..........or it's just burning oil. Better get that respirator on. :2cents:

 

[RNeumann]

This is concerning. The most likely cause of "feeling wheezy" is the CO. This is not something to mess around with. It is my hope you reroute the exhaust as mentioned above to avoid the short and long term affects of breathing exhaust.

 

[bmaverick]

The air filter is almost brand new. I know it's burning oil, but I also get black smoke at times and that alone can irritate my respiratory system as well. I am going to track just how much oil it is using (quarts per hour). I'd like to figure out what is causing that.

I suppose the 1700D was used before you got it, thus the money pit slogan.

From your words, smokes cranking from idle to full throttle, and under 2K-rpm under use it smokes, I would assume that the piston rings need changing or the injectors need cleaning (or replaced).

In the warm summer I'll get a few good smoke sessions bush hogging, but temps under 75, nothing at all. I did have one issue with bad diesel from an off the path fueling station once. I've stopped going there and the smoke never came back.

 

[pretendfarmer]

This is concerning. The most likely cause of "feeling wheezy" is the CO. This is not something to mess around with. It is my hope you reroute the exhaust as mentioned above to avoid the short and long term affects of breathing exhaust.

When I say "wheezy" I mean my lungs are getting a bit irritated and my breathing is affected. I am prone to environmental asthma. As a result, I am not fond of operating this tractor anymore, or anything which emits particulate matter, etc. Unfortunately, I love old diesel trucks and old motorcycles, too, but I'm thinking about getting rid of all that old stuff for newer, emissions compliant things. I like clean air.