John Deere B Smoking from Clutch area

Jim R · Mar 23, 2015

I recently acquired a 1952 John Deere "B" tractor. It runs great and only uses a minimal amount of oil, but when you work it hard, I see light colored smoke coming from the area around the clutch. It looks like "blow by" from the engine. Is this common or do I have a problem? The clutch also works fine too and doesn't slip. Thanks for any response!

Mark-Ia · Mar 23, 2015

It's Blow-by. Rings are worn or stuck.

RandyB(MI) · Mar 23, 2015

I've yet to see one that didn't have some of that when worked hard.

Richard G. · Mar 23, 2015

Grew up on an A. That was normal when working it hard.
Richard in NW SC

BushogPapa · Mar 23, 2015

After a couple hours of hard use, the Moisture will all be driven out of the crankcase and the visible smoke will subside.
The Clutch area vents the crankcase..any excess that the Ventilator Pump can't handle..
Ron.

Bob · Mar 23, 2015

Actually, the ventilator pump pushes clean air INTO the crankcase forcing combustion products OUT the breather (AND the clutch area), and keeping a tiny POSITIVE pressure in the crankcase just the opposite of a modern PVC system that SUCKS on the crankcase, keeping it under a slight depression!

machineryman · Mar 23, 2015

1952 versus 2015 standards...don't get alarmed.

gtx1967jewison · Mar 24, 2015

Bob is correct & it does not mean at all that the rings are worn or stuck. Fresh overhaul properly broke in will do the same. It helps to install a clamp on style breather (like race cars use on the valve cover) onto the oil filler cap pipe.

Jim R · Mar 24, 2015

Thanks so much for the responses! It's amazing how much a guy can learn just from posting on this forum! I appreciate all you guys!

buckeye al · Mar 24, 2015

Amen.

I have seen that little pipe out the front of the valve cover up to and in the side of the cast iron pipe between the carb and the air cleaner cause the same thing! If that pipe is partially or completely plugged, all the fresh air the pump pushes IN has to go some place. The first and most visible place it goes is out is between the pulley and the side of the tractor.

John Deere B Smoking from Clutch area

Jim R

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Mark-Ia

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RandyB(MI)

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Richard G.

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BushogPapa

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Bob

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machineryman

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gtx1967jewison

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Jim R

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buckeye al

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