John Deere 4040 antifreeze in engine oil

Circle K

Member
Hello everybody. I recently picked up a 1981 John Deere 4040. It's a one owner machine, but higher hours, around 15,000 actually with a m and w turbo installed at John Deere dealership before it was even delivered to the ranch. It's been sitting for a few years outside after it got replaced with a front wheel assist because the owner noticed the oil was a bit creamy. I dropped the oil on it today, and of course, creamy. So, like any other situation where there is antifreeze in the oil, bad head gasket? Wasn't that kind of common for a turboed 404 to ruin the head gasket? Also, the motor has never been touched besides a water pump several years ago. That's what I have been leaning towards anyways. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
I've considered that too. I don't have any oil in the coolant, just coolant in the oil. I think when a oil cooler fails- doesn't it usually let some oil into the coolant too? I'm not sure, but considering every option.
 
I have never had a 404 oil cooler fail...The engine O/H is what you will need to fix it..
 
That's what I am thinking. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't have such high hours, but with that many hours, probably a good chance it's getting tired. Believe it or not, the tractor actually starts really well though, no matter what.
 
Is it antifreeze or just condensation from sitting? I'd change the oil and filter and try it again, then you can be sure. If it's antifreeze for sure then you can drop the pan and pressurize the cooling system to see where the leak is.
 

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