Ford 1700 slight smoke from crankcase breather tube

Stone4140 · Jul 26, 2014

I just picked up a diesel ford 1700. It starts easy.., runs great and has no smoke from the exhaust other than on immediate startup. There is however slight but constant smoke coming from the crankcase breather tube. It is thin and white and when the oil cap is removed is comes out like a very light fog. Is this the end nearing for the tractor and it will soon require a rebuild? Or is this average and could be expected to perform for quit a few hours before requiring major work? I plan on doing a compression test today. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Dean · Jul 26, 2014

How many hours are on the engine?

Does the "smoke" appear immediately after start up or only after the engine has fully warmed up?

Does the amount of "smoke" increase with load or remain relatively constant?

Have you worked the tractor hard since buying it?

What does the engine oil look like?

It could simply be condensation vapor evaporating from the engine oil as the engine temperature increases.

More than likely, it is not of much concern.

Dean

RodinNS · Jul 26, 2014

It's normal for them to have a steady light stream of vapor coming from the vent tube. How much you have exactly... I don't know.. so it could be fine or it could be ready to blow.
If it's not burning oil or knocking I wouldn't worry about it.
That said... I still wouldn't pay much for a 1700. If something major does blow on it... it will be expensive or obsolete, so be prepared to scrap the tractor.

Rod

Stone4140 · Jul 26, 2014

Thanks for your replies.

let me give a little more info.

the "smoke" does not start right away. It takes a few minutes to produce and remains constant. I have not had it under any heavy work.

The tube leaks a few drops of oil overnight as well.

Hours stopped counting when they changed the generator. From what I was told under 3000 hrs it stopped at 2100 (that's between him and God)

There is no knocking and like I said before it idles and runs fine.
I got a lot of implements with this tractor that is why I bought it. If this was a poor investment I think I could get out from under it at this point without losing much.

Some other notes that may or may not help. The air filter is in bad need of cleaning, there is just an exhaust pipe no muffler, and the injector pump was empty of oil. All things I will fix today.

I really appreciate the assistance.

My decision at this point is to continue with doing the needed maintenance or selling it off.

David G · Jul 26, 2014

My low hour 6610 does that also, pretty normal if not coming out strong. I would change the oil in it and run it hard for a few days than change the oil.

I run Delvac 1300 15W-40 in mine, others run Rotella.

Ford 1700 slight smoke from crankcase breather tube

Stone4140

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Dean

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RodinNS

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Stone4140

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David G

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