Trouble after rolling

[OffBalance]

My NH TC24 was involved in a rollover accident (see this thread in the Safety forum) and came to rest nearly upside down. It stayed upside down for three days while I gathered the equipment and manpower to get it upright it last night.

Last night, it sat outside, upright but still on a slope. This morning, I checked the fluids, added water to the battery, replaced the hose clamps on the hydraulic cooler that had eroded due to the battery acid, and bled the fuel lines at the pump and injectors.

When I started the tractor, it clunked a few times, and I assumed that was oil that had leaked into the cylinders or valve area. Then it started, and created a lot of whitish smoke. It smoked all the way back to the garage. I tried again tonight, and it again created a huge cloud of white smoke when starting, continued smoking while running, and belched another huge cloud when I put it on a moderate load. It seems to have power, although I did not try anything too heavy. The smoking diminished somewhat as the engine warmed up.

What is causing the smoking, and how can I fix it? The tractor only has 79 hours on it right now.

Also, is there anything else I should check or do since the tractor rolled?

 

[Logan]

I would check the fluid levels, which I'm sure that you have, and I would continue to use the tractor under light load for several more hours. Oil takes a long time to burn out of cylinders and exhaust systems. Continue to watch the guages and if anything should not seem right, then I would let a dealer check it.

 

[Egon]

Wash it well to make sure all the acid is gone.

Egon

 

[DocHeb]

Air filters filled with oil or diesel?

 

[kensfarm]

"Air filters filled with oil or diesel?"

I remember having a push lawn mower flipped upside down as a kid to sharpen the blades.. oil would come out of the carb. Def. hard to start at first.. and a lot of white smoke.

 

[OffBalance]

Thanks guys, I have checked all the levels, and topped off as necessary, like Logan recommended. The fuel had leaked out since the tank was full at the time. It got down to a quarter tank. The oil level was still within limits, although a little lower than originally. I had to add about a gallon of hydr fluid since some leaked out the breather hole.

Egon, after I saw the battery acid leak, I dragged the hose down the hill and washed the whole tractor immediately. Then I washed it again back at the garage! Since the hose clamps on the hydraulic cooler were totally eaten, and the acid had been on the cooler and radiator, I did not want to take any chances!

The air filters look perfectly clean, so no problem there, DocHeb. Like kensfarm said, I have a push mower that will fill the air filter with oil when you tip it over to pull out a wad of grass, unless you tip right-to-left! I still don't understand how the oil gets there....

Come to think of it, somewhere I read that blue smoke is caused by oil burning, and white and black smoke are caused by incomplete diesel combustion. I think I will check the color of smoke again today, and maybe try bleeding the lines again.

 

[RobertN]

Double check your oil. Since the tractor set at odd angles, it may be possible that fuel got in the oil. It would thin the oil, letting it get by the rings. Also check all the vents. You might have a carnkcase vent that is not working, causing oil to be where it shouldn't be. Saw that happen on a mower(that's a 4-stroke motor, so how it compares is a question...).

 

[OffBalance]

Hi RobertN. I got a new filter and gallon of oil, so I will be changing it just to be sure. How does one recognize and check the vents on a compact diesel? I see one on the valve cover that looks like a little box with a drain hose coming off of it. Are there others?

 

[Junkman]

Washing the tractor with water will dilute the acid, but not remove it. I suggest that you wash the tractor down with lots of soapy water that you make up from dish-washing liquid. This will cut the oils, and help to neutralize the acid from the battery. It is particularly important to make sure that the oil cooler and the radiator are completely clean of any residue of acid. If not, they will need replacing within a year. You can also make up a solution of baking soda and water and slop that all over the tractor to neutralize the rest of the acid. This is one time that a pressure washer would be best, since the pressurized water will penetrate all cavities better than a garden hose washing over it. If you use the baking soda, then wash off after a hour or so. You also might have to wash with soap a second time. If you have homeowners insurance and it covers the tractor, file a "informational report" with your insurance agent in the event that there is more damage to the tractor that you are unaware of now. If something fails in the near future, you will be able to make the claim for that damage if it is a result of the accident.
Hope that grandpa heals quickly......Junk....

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you have homeowners insurance and it covers the tractor, file a "informational report" with your insurance agent in the event that there is more damage to the tractor that you are unaware of now. If something fails in the near future, you will be able to make the claim for that damage if it is a result of the accident. )</font>

Junkman,
I never thought of doing that in this type of situation, and didn't know there was such a thing. It's positivly brilliant. Thanks for posting that.
Cliff