Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
:

Farmall A cold weather operation

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Andrew Z

01-26-2005 08:43:34




Report to Moderator

I'v got a Farmall A that has 30W oil in it and the oil has turned a little milky. I been looking were the water may be getting in and cant seem to find were. The coolant is right up there so I'm pretty sure the O rings are good. Were else could water enter the system? Also the temps in CT. have been pretty cold with day time highs in the teens. Would it be OK to use 20w oil this time of year? Thanks for the help Andrew

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
JOSSETTE

01-28-2005 19:24:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND MINE DOES THE SAME THING. HOT-COLD COLD- HOT. IF IT SITS OUTSIDE OR IN A NON-HEATED SHOP IT WILL DO THAT BUT NOT VERY MUCH.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Hugh MacKay

01-26-2005 17:06:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
Andrew: Condensation will occur, either you never run them all winter, then change oil right at beginning in spring or you work your tractor every week.

This thread also prompted my memory on a item my brother has on his Farmall 230. It is an insulated type of sack fitted right over the oil pan. This sack is about 1.5 to 2 inches thick and has an electric heating unit designed as a starting assist. I bet that device will stop condensation. I have never asked my brother about this or even where he bought it. I know it is effective as a starting aid, as I was there one day, about 0 degrees F and 230 fired up as if summer.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dave in CT

01-26-2005 11:26:10




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
Another thought is to put a tank, radiator hose or block heater on. I put a tank heater on my H at the beginning of this winter and know that with a 10W30 multigrade, I'm getting proper lubrication from the getgo. I've heard most of the wear on engines run all year long in cold weather climes occurs in those winter starts. It's an added expense that pays off in the long run. It may not heat out the condensation in the oil - for that do the more frequent oil changes - but it'll certainly help .

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob M

01-26-2005 10:38:17




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
I agree with the others. The problem is condensation -it's common in cold weather.

Condensation can be minimized/eliminated by running the engine hot, ideally 180 - 190 deg. Do this by covering the grille with a winter front (improvise with a scrap of canvas or an old seed bag if req'd), installing a 180 thermostat (if you tractor takes a t'stat), and by keeping idle time to a minimum.

Lighter oil is fine too. 5W-20 or 5W-30 is a good choice...

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
EricB

01-26-2005 09:44:47




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
Andrew: It probably is condensation but one other thing to think about is rain/snow comming down the muffler and into the engine through the exhaust manifold.
I always keep a tin can over the stack, ever since I rotted out #2 and #3 valves.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
scotty

01-26-2005 09:40:57




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
Andrew, As the other guys stated, your probablly getting condensation in the oil. I run 20W in my 42 A and it starts much easier in the cold wx even below zero.

scotty



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
captiank

01-26-2005 08:55:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
If you only notice the milky color in the oil now that the weather is cold and your radiator is staying full, the water is coming from condensation. What happens is that in the winter the engine probably is not thoroughly warming up and the area around the cylinders and head warm up, but the sides of the engine block stay cold. The air in the engine has water vaporized in it, and as this air cools, the water condenses on the colder parts of the crankcase, and then run down into the oil pan.

Changing your oil more often and going to lighter oil when the weather is cold are good things to do. If your engine has good oil pressure I would suggest 10W-30, straight 10 W or even 5W 20 when it is below 40 F. As long as you have good oil pressure (which an engine in good shape will have) light oils will not hurt your engine in cool or cold temps.

My 2 cents…

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Red Dave

01-26-2005 08:50:08




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Andrew Z, 01-26-2005 08:43:34  
If you aren't losing coolant, then it is probably condensed moisture on the inside of the crankcase. If you don't get it up to temperature and run it for an hour or more, you won't get all the moisture evaporated.
I run 10w-30 in my B this time of year.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Andrew Z

01-26-2005 10:19:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: Farmall A cold weather operation in reply to Red Dave, 01-26-2005 08:50:08  
Thanks for the quick replys!
That makes sense, I would start her up and let her warm up for about 15 - 20 mins then maybe run it for a 30 min and shut her down. Thanks for the help Andrew



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy