oil detergent or not

tim mcconley · Aug 16, 2009

wanted to know if the farmall H had babited bearings and if detergent oil would ruin the engin or if i should just run non and let the engin gunk up which is better.

David G · Aug 16, 2009

This debate has circled many times without a clear resolution. I believe that detergent will not harm the engine, but it is prudent to clean the sludge out of the pan, rocker arm cover and tappet cover before converting.

I did this last winter and have had no issues with runnning a detergent oil.

ScottyHOMeY · Aug 16, 2009

david g is on the mark.

A little kerosene and a brush used to clean up the top end, followd by a good drain and cleaning of the pan is all you need. Then run a detergent oil.

Detergent in terms of a motor oil is not the same term as doing your laundry. In oil, it is not a solvent, it is a surfactant, rated for its ability to hold particles and sludge n suspension to get them to the filter, or to hold them in suspension until drained. It does not imply (scrubbing bubbles) that will break loose clods that will clog the oil galleries. It can actually be helpful over time by allowing particles in the soft surface of inaccessible sludge to lift and be suspended or filtered out.

As far as the bearings, I think the face of the conventional main and rod bearings is a much later and more durable alloy than babbitt. They are most definitely not poured babbitt bearings.

Red Mist · Aug 16, 2009

No, detergent oil won't ruin the engine. If it did, there would be about a ba-zillion law suits against the oil companies.
Detergent oil has been around for 50 years and has emulsifiers in it which hold dirt in suspension better than non-detergent oil. Thus, if your engine is clean, it will help it to stay clean(er),since when you drain your oil you will be draining more dirt out with the old oil.
If your engine is dirty, nothing is going to really help it, except for a tear-down and a good cleaning.
Running non-detergent oil is like requesting a generator instead of an alternator on your new car. It may be okay, but you are ignoring 50 years of progress..... But, old beliefs and rumors die hard and slowly.
mike

charles todd · Aug 17, 2009

FYI: Earlier post.

http://ytforums.ytmag.com/viewtopic.php?t=517713

CT

gene bender · Aug 17, 2009

You are another person who should read the owners manualcause you are admitting your knowlege of the tractor you bought is nothing.

dhermesc · Aug 17, 2009

Pulling the valve cover also gives you a chance to adjust the valves to their correct lash - a maintenance check that is usually overlooked on these old tractors.

David G · Aug 17, 2009

Adjusting the valves is a good point that I forgot about. It seems like most of them have not been adjusted in a long time. It will make quite a difference if they are adjusted correctly.

Andy Martin · Aug 17, 2009

The clear resolution is stated above, detergent oil does not clean.

I have never cleaned an engine before putting detergent oil in and have not had a problem in 40 years.

By the way, you probably can't find a tractor that a PO did not put detergent oil in, in the last 40 years. Most people never think about it.

oil detergent or not

tim mcconley

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David G

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ScottyHOMeY

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Red Mist

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charles todd

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gene bender

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dhermesc

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David G

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Andy Martin

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