oil overflowing ford 4500

Brad Buchanan · Aug 4, 2017

Hey folks.
I have a Ford 4500 with the 3 cyl. diesel, 740 loader and 755 hoe.

Since I rebuilt the engine the level on the engine oil has crept up a bit but not excessively.

Today I brought it into the shop and when I pulled the dipstick oil came pouring out. The oil does not smell like fuel.

The oil is not milky nor is there any evidence of oil in the radiator. The tractor has the 4 speed with the shuttle shift and torque converter.

The only thing I can think of is that gear oil is somehow making its way into the crankcase though I can't see how.

Does anyone have info or thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance,

Brad

Gary H. · Aug 4, 2017

If I remember right some of the 4500 power steering used the same oil as the regular reservoir. If not fuel or coolant, power steering is the only thing left.

old · Aug 4, 2017

I would just to be sure pull the dip stick and try to light the oil. If it burns easy good chance it is fuel. If it does not burn easy could be hyd fluid caused by a bad seal in the hyd pump

Ted in NE-OH · Aug 4, 2017

Is the radiator level low??

jaybird-oh · Aug 4, 2017

I have a 3500 forklift that the power steering pump 134 oil was leaking into the engine. This has a separate resevoir that was losing oil as the crankcase was gaining oil. My 4500 tlb is gaining oil more slowly and I suspect the PS.pump seal is leaking in this one also.This one takes 134 oil from the hydraulic oil system so it doesn't show much oil loss.

JF in MI · Aug 4, 2017

Gary H is right. If the power steering input shaft is leaking you could get near on 30 gallons of hydraulic fluid in the crank case.

RodinNS · Aug 4, 2017

Power steering oil is the most likely source. However, without knowing exactly how things are plumbed on that tractor I'd only be speculating...
If it has any direct engine mounted hydraulic pumps with a large reservoir, that is where I'd be looking first.

Rod

Destroked 450 · Aug 5, 2017

I have one of these tractors.

4500's built from 65-10/70 get their power steering oil from the main hydraulic tank built into the radiator shell instead of a small reservoir like ag tractors use. This tank holds around 7 gallons of hyd oil, all of which can drain into the engine oil pan if the power steering pump shaft seals leak.
If there's as much oil in the oil pan as said one simply has to pull the dip stick on the front hyd tank to see if it's low on oil.

To remove the pump one can loop a piece of rubber hose from the tanks power steering supply fitting back to the return fitting on the main hyd return pipe, other wise you'll need to drain the tank.

Care should be taken not to damage any of the oil lines when removing the power steering pump has many of these lines are no longer serviced and the ones that are still available are pricey.

Brad Buchanan · Aug 5, 2017

Thanks guys!

Pulled the p/s pump and there was hydraulic oil all over the shaft and gear past the seal.

Have a kit coming with new seals so I should be in business soon

Brad

oil overflowing ford 4500

Brad Buchanan

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Gary H.

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old

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Ted in NE-OH

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jaybird-oh

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JF in MI

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RodinNS

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Destroked 450

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Brad Buchanan

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