Tc35/40 cold oil pressure issue

[nyone]

My fairly new to me tc40 will have low oil pressure when starting in cold (30*f). Yet in the summer and when the oil is warm it dosnt. At first the oil pressure light was staying on for 5-10sec when cold. I confirmed this with a mechanical gauge. At 30*f it takes about 15sec to get to 10psi. Then 30 sec to get to 30-35psi. When shut off it drops off very slow so I dont believe theres an internal leak.

First I'm going to change the oil/filter. It is very clean and has about 75hrs on it I believe. Is there anything I should be checking?

 

[LouNY]

Change your oil viscosity.
Also when you confirmed it with a mechanical gauge how long and what diameter was the sensing line.
Also pressure should drop quickly when an engine is shutdown.

 

[Roadworthy]

I'm with Lou. See what acceptable oil viscosities for your tractor. If you're running 15W-40 and 5W-40 is an acceptable substitute try that. It starts out at the thinner viscosity but as the tractor warms the oil becomes 40.

 

[JC-jetro]

I will go with oil viscosity as other gents mentioned. if you live in a very Cold area then an insertion type oil sump heater may not be a bad idea.

 

[WM75Guy]

My TC40DA, bought used in 2008, does the same thing. I use NH SAE 10W-30, which is what came in it from the factory. My manual shows SAE 10W-30 is good for -10 to 120 F. SAE 5W-30 is good for -20 to 60 F.

 

[nyone]

Change your oil viscosity.
Also when you confirmed it with a mechanical gauge how long and what diameter was the sensing line.
Also pressure should drop quickly when an engine is shutdown.

I had a 1/8in pipe hose on the gauge. I tapped the gauge in off the front of the head.

I was suspecting oil viscosity also. This engine dosnt get dirty oil even after 60hrs I can see through the oil on the dip stick.

 

[nyone]

I will go with oil viscosity as other gents mentioned. if you live in a very Cold area then an insertion type oil sump heater may not be a bad idea.

I think for this type of issue putting a sump heater on it would be more of a crutch than a repair. The machine starts great even if its 6*f so want to keep this as cold ready as I can with no 120v inputs as it may be at an offgrid property doing snow removal of a 1/4mi long road.

 

[LouNY]

My choice of oil year round is Rotela T6 5w-40 or Amsoil diesel 5w-40.
Those are the oils that I put in everything except the old Dyna-hoe with the 4-53 Detroit.

 

[JC-jetro]

I had a 1/8in pipe hose on the gauge. I tapped the gauge in off the front of the head.

I was suspecting oil viscosity also. This engine dosnt get dirty oil even after 60hrs I can see through the oil on the dip stick.

Could not disagree. I think you might see a difference hopefully after oil and filter change.

 

[nyone]

My choice of oil year round is Rotela T6 5w-40 or Amsoil diesel 5w-40.
Those are the oils that I put in everything except the old Dyna-hoe with the 4-53 Detroit.

T6 5w40 is also my main oil. I even ran it in my 09 accord for about a year when I had oil burning issues, it fixed them.

I havent put enough hours on this machine to change the oil yet but will be doing that very soon.