IH 685 Oil problems

[Alistair]

I have an IH 685 which normally does not use any engine oil.

Couple of days ago I was using it to top a grassed track, I was working in low range using 1st and2nd gears as it is a rough track and has some tricky spots.

The next time I came to use the tractor the dip stick showed hardly any engine oil in the sump. I put 3 or 4 litres in which after running the tractor brought it surprisingly over the maximum indicator on the stick. I have checked the transmission oil and that is now reading well over the max mark. I am now worried that the oil is getting in the transmission oil.

I would be interested in any thoughts as to what is going on.

Thanks Alistair

 

[7610 super q]

This is no help to you what so ever....but I find dipsticks (especially back end ones ) to be somewhat misleading.

 

[essexpete]

The 2 oils are not linked. As I see it the only way your engine could lose a significant oil suddenly is by a crank shaft seal, gaskets, worn valve guides, oil gallery into the coolant or poor piston rings allowing consumption of oil. Our IH can show different readings on the dipstick from first dip to second dip. (don't know why). Does it start easily, is there much blue smoke and what about blow by on the breather? I am trying to remember how much oil between low and full and I have a feeling 2l would correct that so 3-4l seems like a major loss to me.

 

[Alistair]

The 2 oils are not linked. As I see it the only way your engine could lose a significant oil suddenly is by a crank shaft seal, gaskets, worn valve guides, oil gallery into the coolant or poor piston rings allowing consumption of oil. Our IH can show different readings on the dipstick from first dip to second dip. (don't know why). Does it start easily, is there much blue smoke and what about blow by on the breather? I am trying to remember how much oil between low and full and I have a feeling 2l would correct that so 3-4l seems like a major loss to me.

Essexpete. Thanks for that. I am glad the two oils are not linked as I was worried that the crank case oil was getting into the transmission. Initial thoughts had a seal gone resulting in oil getting in the backend.
She is a good starter and does not smoke, though I need to check the breather pipe

 

[deere66]

The dipstick on those engines can air lock and give a low reading, always take it out, wipe it and dip again

 

[essexpete]

yes think it may be linked with the disk thing on the stick.

 

[deere66]

The disk just keeps the stick central in the tube, it's the screw tight seal at the top which causes the air lock

 

[essexpete]

Yes of course that makes sense as it cools down it can hold oil in the tube and give a false reading.

 

[Richard Devon]

to correctly check the rear-axle/transmission oil level you should run the tractor for 10 minutes, switch off, allow to settle for a few minutes and then dip the stick.

Different compartments inside the gearbox work at different levels, the internal oil pump transfers oils rearwards which then spills forward in ever decreasing levels.

For the engine as said about the dipstick tube could possibly air lock, but a significant drop such as 3 or 4 litres after a few hours of topping would indicate something more serious, such as a leak or worn piston rings

 

[deere66]

Yes of course that makes sense as it cools down it can hold oil in the tube and give a false reading.

First thing in a morning the oil will often be higher than the disk, wipe it and dip again it'll be much lower.

 

[deere66]

to correctly check the rear-axle/transmission oil level you should run the tractor for 10 minutes, switch off, allow to settle for a few minutes and then dip the stick.

Different compartments inside the gearbox work at different levels, the internal oil pump transfers oils rearwards which then spills forward in ever decreasing levels.

For the engine as said about the dipstick tube could possibly air lock, but a significant drop such as 3 or 4 litres after a few hours of topping would indicate something more serious, such as a leak or worn piston rings

Try tipping a big trailer and you'll soon find out about the different levels, set the PTO going and it splashes the oil around more and you'll tip it no problem

 

[deere66]

to correctly check the rear-axle/transmission oil level you should run the tractor for 10 minutes, switch off, allow to settle for a few minutes and then dip the stick.

Different compartments inside the gearbox work at different levels, the internal oil pump transfers oils rearwards which then spills forward in ever decreasing levels.

For the engine as said about the dipstick tube could possibly air lock, but a significant drop such as 3 or 4 litres after a few hours of topping would indicate something more serious, such as a leak or worn piston rings

Very true, they only hold 2 gallon IIRC

 

[Alistair]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm hoping it's an air lock caused by the cap on top of the engine oil dip stick and nothing more serious. I will see what happens when I next connect a tipping trailer.