oil bath air filter cup water infill

Is any one able to lead me to the proper conclusion to the >>FOLLOWING PROBLEM <<< Water is entering the oil filter bowel from some where. I have had to empty it several times in the last 5 months. { The engine attempts to start yet only fires a couple of times then quits, this is how I know to check the bowel}
I have checked the breather cap for holes > see none. Put a bit of calk on the pipe at the top of the breather tank the large section where the metal screen is.
>>> STUMPED <<< Has any one ever had this happen to them? and what was the answer you found?
Thank you for all your assistance.
Wm.

On what model tractor?

Original factory setup or any aftermarket parts, like an extra dust bowl added or such?

Paul

My apology This is late 46 IHC BN with all factory parts and was an experimental unit, built when they were working on touch control set ups.
It has a 123 engine.

Can you upload a picture or two so folks can see the exact setup you have? It might help folks see what is going on.

Unfortunately no, my computer skills are sadly lacking. BUT If one looks at a picture of a- C, A, B or BN they all have the same setup for the air intake breather on the left side of the engine.

I had a 60 Oliver one time that leaked around the intake pipe below the mushroom cap pre-cleaner and the oil bath air cleaner itself. gm

Is this kept indoor's or out in the weather? I don't think water from the exhaust could get all the way back into the air filter but I don't know where else it could come from.
Dave

Condensation I have WC Allis that does that. It sets outside but the 5000 Ford doesnt and it sets out too.

How much water are you talking about here? A couple ounces?? Or enough to bring the oil level up to the brim of oil bowl and forcing the oil to leak out???
Is the water clear, or is it green (antifreeze)?
Is tractor sitting out in the rain and snow, or is it in the shed under a roof?
You said tractor is an experimental. So, is the air breather the same as what would be seen on a non-experimental?
I would say a tad bit of water could build up from air condensation in the right conditions. But, I'd think this would have to happen over a long period of time, and likely not enough to give
you problems. The water could also come from snow being blown in at the top. Or from ice. When ice thaws, the melted ice water can be diverted to funky places because of the remaining ice. But for this to happen, tractor would have to sit outside, and likewise you wouldn't think it would amount to much.
All, I can think of without more details.
You don't have some enemy neighbors that are coming over and dumping water in from the top when your not around, do ya???

to answer the above questions. The tractor sits out side. I do have a full wind breaker heat house on it Including a window and canvas roof
that was remanufactured from a different IHC model so as to fit the BN.
>>>So the only part of the air intake that is exposed to the surrounding elements is the mushroom shaped cap on top of the air intake pipe [ looks like an upside down bowel with the wire mesh shaped like a cereal bowl] the pipe is above the hood.
The interesting item about this water in the oil bowel is that it puts the oil level up to the top of the bowel, [the bowel is so snug to the rest of the breather body that when I take it off I need to gently tap it or use an oil filter wrench to turn it off] so no oil will leak out but if I left it would probably fill up to the hose going to the carb. This happens in both warm and cold weather conditions {snow or no snow summer or winter}
The oil in the bowel that I last changed in December, half emptied in January and was back up to the top of the bowel was whitish in colour when I emptied it out today the 18th of Feb. since it made it that I had difficulty starting the tractor before I emptied the bowel. Once emptied it started right away on first crank.

Blowing snow? Can sift into most any opening.

Put a 5 gallon bucket on it after you park it and see if it helps. Are you moving snow with it ?

Has the edge of the hood worn a slit in the vertical pipe on the air cleaner intake pipe. That would let a lot of water in as it ran down or one of the bands holding the air cleaner on done same thing rusted through or cracked or the mounting bracket it is against caused it to crack/rust through? I guess I would either put it inside for the rest of the winter or pull the air cleaner and inspect.

If I read this right the air filter is under the heater houser? I would lean towards condensation... . .it gets warm, then sweats when it cools?

I have several tractors with oil bath filters that gain water. I always figured it was condensation.

yes the majority of the breather is under the heat houser yet the amount of moisture to my thinking is too much for heat caused condensation. I may be wrong. I only have used the the tractor and trailer to carry the snow blower around the camp 3 times since the beginning of the year. I just emptied the oil bowel and cleaned it out Friday morning the 18th; didn't refill the oil though. Will keep a watch on it next time I prepare to star the tractor.

Will up date then
Wm.