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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

grey color oil

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Jim-bobb

10-13-2005 21:10:01




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The motor oil in my tractor has a grey color. I can not find any leaks, antifreeze stays at proper level & exhaust is clean without any grey, white or black smoke.

Would simple water condensation cause the grey oil color?

Also, should I use non-detergent oil in this '50s era tractor. What weight oil in cold climates at as low as -20F below zero?




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jim-bobb

10-14-2005 10:39:38




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 Follow Up: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
Well, put in new 10W-40 oil & filter. Ran most of the day & no signs of water in the oil. Did not overheat nor use any coolant in the radiator.

So, I guess just condensation after sitting a while. The oil pressure is about 25 lbs at idle or full RPM. Guess that is ok.

Tnx all.



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supergrumpy

10-14-2005 09:06:11




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
do not know what your tractor is.

had same problem with Farmall 400 parked out in the weather with can over the exhaust, kept getting water in oil, oil change would fix for a bit and then oil went off-color again

water was running down outside of the stack and getting into the engine thru the bad joint where stack screwed into the exhaust manifold, engine would hydralic and had to pull #4 sparkplug to get it to turn over

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old

10-14-2005 06:22:25




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
I have that type of problem with one of my tractors and its caused by water getting in the engine from the exhaust area. I keep a can on the pipe but I still get water in the exhaust no matter what. But it is parked out side so theres the reason it happens. As far as oil I'd run a 30 or 40 W oil detergent type only.



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BobMo

10-14-2005 06:11:12




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
If it hasn't been to long since you changed oil run the tractor for several hours under load so the oil is hot for some time. If its condensation this will get rid of it. Numerous startups without really getting the oil hot enough to evaporate condensation in the crankcase is really bad for the engine and may cause this condition. Short runs require short term oil changes however I'm afraid you may have other problems. Were I you I'd preform some of the recommendations made here....

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TomTX

10-14-2005 05:56:27




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
What kind of oil are you using? What kind of filter? When did you change it last?



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Jerry/MT

10-13-2005 21:23:07




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
If you don't use the tractor much and live in a high humidity area you can get condensation in the engine oil. Excessive blow by can cause the problem since water vapor is one of the products of combustion. Does your tractor have a crankcase vent tube? If so, make sure that it isn't clogged. If it isn't clogged, are you seeing a lot of vapor coming out of it when you are running? A compression check can give you an idea about blow by. Low compression readings usually mean excessive blow by cause by worn rings and sleeves. You reall ought to consult your owners manual about oils for cold weather. the manufacturer usually specifies this. At the risk of being proven wrong by the owners manual recommendation, I would think a 10W30 oil and a 15W40 oil would be good to -20F. Make sure it's theright API classification for your engine type.

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lucasss

10-13-2005 21:22:15




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
no , dont use non detergent. -20 would take an 5w30 i think or better yet synthetic oil.lucas



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txgrn

10-14-2005 05:12:18




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to lucasss, 10-13-2005 21:22:15  

I agree on both points but maybe if your tractor has some wear, limit the low end to 10w; i.e. 10w-30 syn.

Mark



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msb

10-13-2005 21:16:02




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 Re: grey color oil in reply to Jim-bobb, 10-13-2005 21:10:01  
Condensation can cause this .It used to be really bad years ago when tractors were used in both a warm barn and outside in cold weather.



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