crankcase breather residue

DMartin9N-2N · Mar 7, 2018

Hi:
My 9N has a replacement crankcase breather (oil filler cap) from some aftermarket supplier. Tractor runs well, but a sort of creamy colored sludge/glop is dribbling out of the breather's slot on the side. I will say also that after starting engine on a cool morning (say 40 deg. F) the tractor exhaust pipe puts out a large cloud of steam or pale colored smoke for about a minute or two. The cloud is very noticeable if the tractor is inside the barn with no wind. Not sure if related to sludge. I am fairly sure there is a thermostat in the top radiator hose, too lazy to go out and look just now! Again not sure if related to the creamy sludge question. I do have a temp gauge on the tractor, so I can watch that if someone thinks it would be meaningful. Thanks for any suggestions!

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.

HCooke · Mar 7, 2018

Sounds like condensation to me. Does the white smoke go away after the engine is thoroughly warmed up.

L.B, · Mar 7, 2018

As Cooke says condensation. If you have White steam thats not right, sure its not just exhaust.

R Geiger · Mar 7, 2018

Like the others say, condensation, both of mine have it but if I run them long enough to get the engine good and warm it clears up.

showcrop · Mar 7, 2018

As the others have said it is condensation. If, when you start the tractor, you use it for an hour or three, all of the condensation, including the foam in the breather, will evaporate away. If you run it for just a short while without working it, foam will accumulate a little more each time.

Bruce (VA) · Mar 7, 2018

A t-stat and running the tractor to operating temp frequently will solve your problem.
75 Tips

Tall T · Mar 7, 2018

D Martin,

Often when crankcase ventilation is discussed, the focus is exclusively on the output breather, but however fresh air enters the upper engine has to be unobstructed as well. Typically older engines have stainless wool-filled caps like on the side of the NAA valve cover or the top of the valve cover on my old GM engine.

My steam take . . .
Condensation collects in mufflers and because the muffler on my Jube is right over the manifold it it brought to the point of steaming very quickly . . . unlike a truck say, where it takes quite a while for the muffler to get hot enough and then what steam is eventually emitted isn't even noticed.

I'd like a truck muffler with a drain cock.

L.Fure · Mar 7, 2018

If the white gunk is slippery and smells a little like Vaseline it most likely is paraffine. Pennzoil used to be full of the stuff back in the 1960's-70's. I would find it inside of valve covers of cars during that time. Switching brands of oil usually took care of that problem.

Frontline1 · Mar 9, 2018

Outside chance you have a weeping headgasket, too - I'd be tempted to crack the drain plug after it sits for a week or 3 and see if you've got any antifreeze in the pan...... But like all the above has said, it's probably just condensation.

DMartin9N-2N · Mar 17, 2018

(quoted from post at 00:07:48 03/10/18) Outside chance you have a weeping headgasket, too - I'd be tempted to crack the drain plug after it sits for a week or 3 and see if you've got any antifreeze in the pan...... But like all the above has said, it's probably just condensation.

Hi, Frontline1; Please describe the condition "weeping head gasket". The 9N is a flathead engine, with no oil passages through the head nor the head gasket. I don't see how a head gasket issue could let antifreeze get into the crankcase. Thanks for the response.

Dennis M. in W. Tennessee

Dollar Bill · Mar 18, 2018

The 9N is a flathead engine, with no oil passages through the head nor the head gasket. I don't see how a head gasket issue could let antifreeze get into the crankcase.

I'm not suggesting any of these are your problem but there are several paths that allow water into crankcase in a flat head engine:

Water leaks past head gasket into cylinder and drains through the rings into the crankcase.

An internal crack in the block will lead to the crankcase.

Leaky cylinder head studs/bolts will also let water into crankcase.

crankcase breather residue

DMartin9N-2N

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HCooke

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L.B,

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R Geiger

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showcrop

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Bruce (VA)

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Tall T

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L.Fure

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Frontline1

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DMartin9N-2N

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Dollar Bill

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