Try oil additive if burning oil?

coloradotrout · Feb 25, 2009

I have a JD 4100 that burns about a quart every 5 hours (20HP HST CUT). Postedly elsewhere are all the details.

Someone recently suggested I try Lucasoil stabilizer. A website shows where that stuff foams up real bad. Someone else suggested I try Mystik oil.

I'm running JD oil now. Previous owner used Chevron I believe.

What about RESTORE?

Anyone have a 4100 they have pulled the head off? How long did it take? I'm tempted to do this but 1) dont want to screw it up and 2) maybe the is no point to doing it -- it does burn oil.

George2615 · Feb 25, 2009

When its burning oil nothing short of a rebuild will cure it. Items such as RESTORE or CD-2 can temporarily slow down oil consumption but when rings, valves, guides, seats etc. get worn they need replacing.

DieselPower · Feb 25, 2009

Like George said there's no fix in a can. If it's worn out it's worn out. Depending on what viscosity oil you are currently using you could try a little thicker oil. The problem with thicker oil is harder starting in cold weather. Most but not all oil additives tend be very thick which negatively effects cold cranking performance. There are additives that are actually polymers that really don't effect viscosity at starting temp but as the engine heats up the polymer molecules unwind effectively thickening the oil. In any case it's still not fixing the real problem.

Diamondpilot · Feb 25, 2009

I am going through this with a car. Like the others said, oil is cheap. Just keep it at the proper level and run it.

Chris

coloradotrout · Feb 26, 2009

Yeah, I tend to agree. I am also leary of quick fixes thinking that they may complicate the real fix later on.

I'm using JD oil now. Does WalMart have an acceptable diesel engine oil I can switch to?

How much can I tell by pulling off the head? Supposedly the engine has 1155 hours. I have owned it for 75 hours and it has burned oil the whole time. It was a rental prior, and in the JD log, it shows a water pump failure at 600 hours. I have posted all the details elsewhere dating back to 2005, so I won't start this all over again. But things change and maybe there is some new light to shed.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/68867-new-used-rebuilt-engine-needed.html

Soundguy · Feb 26, 2009

coloradotrout said:
I have a JD 4100 that burns about a quart every 5 hours (20HP HST CUT). Postedly elsewhere are all the details.

Someone recently suggested I try Lucasoil stabilizer. A website shows where that stuff foams up real bad. Someone else suggested I try Mystik oil.

I'm running JD oil now. Previous owner used Chevron I believe.

What about RESTORE?

Anyone have a 4100 they have pulled the head off? How long did it take? I'm tempted to do this but 1) dont want to screw it up and 2) maybe the is no point to doing it -- it does burn oil.

If it was burning a quart an oil change. then yeah.. add the snake oil.. but 2qts a day... naaa.. needs a wrench.. not goop..

soundguy

coloradotrout · Feb 26, 2009

What's bugging me is it starts up in 30+ weather.

Could it burn 1 qt every 5 hours and yet be able to develop enough compression to start in 30+ weather?

George2615 · Feb 26, 2009

coloradotrout said:
Yeah, I tend to agree. I am also leary of quick fixes thinking that they may complicate the real fix later on.

I'm using JD oil now. Does WalMart have an acceptable diesel engine oil I can switch to?

How much can I tell by pulling off the head? Supposedly the engine has 1155 hours. I have owned it for 75 hours and it has burned oil the whole time. It was a rental prior, and in the JD log, it shows a water pump failure at 600 hours. I have posted all the details elsewhere dating back to 2005, so I won't start this all over again. But things change and maybe there is some new light to shed.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/68867-new-used-rebuilt-engine-needed.html

WM does sell diesel oil. My local super center has a few different brands all of which are good.

By pulling the head a good shop can check the valves, guides, and seals. You can also check for excessive piston ring slop by moving the top of the piston with your hand. It's possible that it may just need new guides and seals since 1155 hours isn't a lot for a diesel.

Providing the rings and valves are good you will have good compression which leads me to think its the valve guides and/or seals.

coloradotrout · Feb 26, 2009

I was wondering if I can remove the head and learn anything? Or at least learn enough to know what the next steps might be.

dodge man · Feb 26, 2009

My guess is when the water pump went out, the engine overheated. I would think you could do some things with the head off. Like check the condition of the valves and measure the size of the cylinder bores to see how badly worn they are.

Soundguy · Feb 26, 2009

coloradotrout said:
What's bugging me is it starts up in 30+ weather.

Could it burn 1 qt every 5 hours and yet be able to develop enough compression to start in 30+ weather?

You are confusing compression and oil control.

pistons have both rings.. oil control rings. and compression rings.

if your compression is good.. then i bet the oil control ring is bad.. In that case.. i wouldn't think it overheated.. as I think all the rings would have cooked.. etc..

soundguy

coloradotrout · Feb 26, 2009

Which WalMart oil should I use?

George2615 · Feb 26, 2009

Any brand of oil as long as it says for diesel engines. Most common are 15W-40 but 10W-30 or 5W-30 is better in colder temps but not always available on the shelf. I use Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic in my truck and tractor. Of course synthetic costs more and isn't required. I just prefer it.

coloradotrout · Feb 26, 2009

I think I'll go for 15W-40 diesel.

Since I burn a quart every 5 hours, I may opt for the lowest cost.

Diamondpilot · Feb 26, 2009

Yea, go for the regular Rotella 15W40. On sale all the time for about $11 a gallon around here. I am guessing if you take the head off you are going to end up doing a full rebuild. My feeling is there was some sever damage done back when it was overheated. And you know how rentals are run, treated, and maintained.

Chris

jfox · Mar 4, 2009

Cheap oil may be the cause. Try a good quality oil, change it at 10 hours and make sure you get the motor up to temp. Oil rings may be stuck or gummed up.
Oil is not all equal.

skent · Mar 4, 2009

Since it's not really a high hours machine, I'd go ahead and do a rebuild. If it did overheat, it may just be a ring problem and you'll only need minimum parts. The tractor still has lots of life left, why not fix the problem and know what you have.

coloradotrout · Mar 5, 2009

Local Walmart had Chevron Delo 400 LE, Shell Rotella, and Mobil Delvac ( I think that was it).

Delo was 11.7 / gal
Rotella was 10.5/gal
Mobil was 11.7 / gal

I bought of gal of Delo -- liked the blue containter, and cool font on the label, although the squatty Mobil container would fit on smaller shelves better.