Ford 4000 to much Transmission oil

ml_work · Aug 16, 2015

I just got a 1967 Ford 4000 Diesel. First tractor and many questions, I will start a new topic for each to keep to one topic.
The tractor had not been used much over the past few years but runs well, few leaks, some will try to have repaired and some may live with if possible. The back left tire (sitting in the seat) has a oil leak. The previous owner had the seal to get it fix but had not done it. Today I changed the transmission oil as it was milky. Filled it up to the level plug with new oil. The pto / hydraulic oil looks good so I did not drain it. I pulled the level plug to check it and oil poured out, could tell it is way over filled. My guess the previous owner was keeping it above the level because of the leak. I will have to drive the tractor about 6 miles to my home, after that it will be used to pull a 6' box blade at very slow speed. The road is in bad shape so the first few times it will take all day to get it in shape. So may concern is will the high level of oil in the rear end cause problem with the 6 mile drive and all day pull ?

Thanks
Michael

Ultradog MN · Aug 16, 2015

I,m thinking the tire is not leaking oil as you stated but the axle is?
Probably a bad axle seal. It's a fairly big job to fix. If it's not leaking copiously and you don't mind the mess you could just leave it.
But having the rear end over full will cause it to leak more. I would drain off the excess oil - actually I would change it -always do on a "new"
tractor and fill to correct level. Then axle will likely leak less.
Won't hurt it to drive 6 miles and use it as is.
There is a very good Ford specific forum here with a bunch of guys who know and love those old Fords.
Click on the link below.
Click here

showcrop · Aug 16, 2015

Part of my annual (at least the plan) is to loosen the drain of each case of each tractor to drain off any moisture that may have accumulated in the last year. Here in the Northeast we are likely to get condensation in our cases at least three times a year, so even if the oil looks good at the top, if it has not been used for awhile the condensation may settle out at the bottom and be drained out.

Leroy · Aug 16, 2015

About that over full oil. Has the tractor got remote couplers on? And if it does is it one coupler, if only one likely it was used with a large diameter large cylinder like a wagon hoist that took a very large volume of oil? A cylinder like that could use up to about 3 gallon of oil and make it low to pump when the cylinder is fully extended. If that is not the case then I do not know why it would be overfilled except that the previous owner did not know how to check it? Could also still be that condination. Drain it and refill properly and that oil leak may just stop. But your problem there is going to be a left brake that got soaked in the oil if they are not wet brakes and it has been too many a year since I had 2 4100 (the 38" wheel version) and a 5100 to remember on that.

centash · Aug 16, 2015

I would drain and refill all oils/filters then you know you are good to go. They have a dry brake if I remember; if you have the oil level correct in the rear end, shoot a couple of strokes of grease into the fitting at the very end (outside) of the axle housing if there is one there. May slow the leak a bit. Tough old tractor, simple and dependable.

Ben

Ultradog MN · Aug 16, 2015

2000/3000s had dry drum brakes.
The 65 and newer 3 cylinder 4000 like he has has wet disc brakes inside the axle housings.
No grease fitting.

RodinNS · Aug 16, 2015

The extra oil will not be a problem... the leak is likely a bad outer axle seal and it is a fair bit of work to change. Lowering the oil level may or may not improve that situation because the axle is still submerged in oil.

Rod

ml_work · Aug 16, 2015

Thanks to Everyone for such a quick reply!
Underdog, you are correct, it is the axel leaking... miswording on my part.
I will let the oil down to the level plug for sure and do complete change as soon as possible. I will monitor the about that is leaking once I lower the level and when I am running the tractor. From the comments that it is a fair amount of work to repair sounds like I will try to work with it if possible. I do not have a shop or tools, so anything past oil change would have to be done at a tractor shop and Fair amount of work = $$

Leroy, I do not know what a remote coupler is, my Google search showed me a part that I don't know if the tractor has. It did have a picture of a Ford with lines at the back above the hitch, which I do not have.

I don't think there is a place to grease it, I will look closer.

Thanks!
Michael

Ford 4000 to much Transmission oil

ml_work

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Ultradog MN

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showcrop

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Leroy

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centash

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Ultradog MN

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RodinNS

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ml_work

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