cotter pin port on 8N

Mr. T. Minnesota · Apr 6, 2014

Forum Members,
Have been running the 8N all winter moving firewood and snow. Yesterday when removing my wood bucket the N went into a fair tilt, not dangerous but more tilt that ninety per cent of the time. Later in the day I noticed a small puddle of oil below the cotter pin opening between the engine and transmission. Not sure where the oil came from yet, either the engine or transmission. Engine was recently overhauled. Wondered if oil had been setting in an isolated cavity and when tilted it flowed out of the cotter pin opening when on the level again?? Is this typical??
Mr. T. Minnesota

Bruce (VA) · Apr 6, 2014

" Is this typical??"

Nope.

You've got a seal failure.

Rear engine crank seal or front transmission seal.

Chances are the rear crank seal was replaced in the overhaul. And, when it was split, you should have replaced the front transmission seal.

No need to guess though; is it oil or hydraulic fluid?
75 Tips

Mr. T. Minnesota · Apr 6, 2014

Bruce,
I checked the fluid that came out and have a feeling it is the engine seal. I have never taken apart an N tractor. Any basic hints for the novice that are not covered in the manual? If taken apart I want to check the oil pump too, it does not hold a decent pressure when hot. Any additional thoughts are welcome.
Mr. T. Minnesota

R Geiger · Apr 6, 2014

I would keep an eye on it for awhile before I started splitting it. If it is a steady occurrence then yes open it up.

Jimmyjack · Apr 6, 2014

If its not a steady occurance I wouldnt get too excited yet. Mine does that once in a while when I load it on the trailer. Suspect that the angle when loading it causes some puddling to run out.

Colin King · Apr 6, 2014

Put a piece of white cardboard, or even a sheet of paper taped to some cardboard backing under the cotter pin. If it's engine oil, it'll be very dark (unless you just changed it). If it's from the tranny, it should be a golden, a light brown, or reddish, depending on the fluid you use.

Enjoying the weather? Looks like we may hit 70* Wednesday.

Colin, MN

Bob · Apr 6, 2014

These old machines, even when new, were not as clean, sterile, and leakproof as what we expect today. That's why there's a drain hole with a jiggling cotterpin to keep it open of dirt!

Unless the front tranny seal and the rear crankshaft "rope seal" are PERFECT, they will mark their territory a bit from time to time.

(IS there such a thing as a "rope seal" that seals perfectly?)

It's your call how much "marking it's territory" you will put up with before tearing it down, and attempting to make it a bit better.

It wouldn't be the first "N" that gets parked over a shallow pan of kitty litter to keep oil drops off of the garage floor (IF it's nearly housebroken and lives inside)!

Bruce (VA) · Apr 6, 2014

As others are telling you, I'd leave it be until it shows up on the dipstick. Just park it on level ground!

What kind of oil pressure do you have?

Unfortunately, a worn pump is not the usual cause of low oil pressure; it's worn bearings.
75 Tips

NNP · Apr 7, 2014

another vote for leaving it be and keeping an eye on it.
Most I've split have a LOT of grease/dirt/mouse nest debris buildup in the case,
usually building a 'dam' around the drain hole.
Oil from seeping seals is usually laying in the bottom, unable to drain normally.

Bill Crowell · Apr 7, 2014

It's a good thing that your 8N leaks oil because you won't have to kill the weeds where you park it.

cotter pin port on 8N

Mr. T. Minnesota

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Bruce (VA)

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Mr. T. Minnesota

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R Geiger

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Jimmyjack

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Colin King

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Bob

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Bruce (VA)

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NNP

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Bill Crowell

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