Ford 2N Oil Tube White Substance

Last week I noticed some water dripping from the oil tube breather cap and inside the neck there is a white slimy substance. The tractor sits in the barn most of the year but last week I was plowing snow 4 days in a row. We had almost 5 feet over 4 days. The oil on the dipstick looks clean. I see no signs of water leaking from the head gasket. Could this be from condensation escaping the engine or signs of a serious problem? Thanks.

Larry
a175121.jpg

a175122.jpg

a175123.jpg
 
Condensation in the crankcase.

It is nearly impossible to work these tractors long and hard enough in cold weather to prevent such deposits.

Should clear up in the summer.

Dean
 
Make sure you have a thermostat installed. That will help. I was amazed when I installed a temperature gauge how hard of a time these engines have maintaining a hot enough temperature. Remember, low temperature means more engine wear. Get a 160 or 180 degree thermostat. I prefer the 180 others like the 160. Your choice.
 

Make sure that your crankcase ventilation system is free flowing to let the vaporized moisture out.
 
I had a Chevy truck with 350 engine that did that once, I drove it to work each day so it got plenty warm.

I knew there was condensation in the oil so I just changed the oil and filter (with the motor oil hot).

The condensation when away after the oil change and I never saw it again.

Where it came from I do not know, but that old engine was one of GM's mistakes with the leaking bad intake manifold gaskets. It leaked coolant into the intake so you never saw a leak.

Are you having to add coolant to the cooling system from time to time, but never see a leak?
 
I have a 160 degree thermostat and a temperature gage probe in the head of my snow pusher 8N. When the temperature gets down in the 20s most of the time the gage will not go up to 160 degrees even after an hour run time. I partially block off part of the radiator by putting cardboard over the bottom of the grill and adjust until I get the gage to read at least 160 degrees. Until I started that I would get some white condensation gunk as you show.
 
What thermostat is that, Bruce?

I've only seen the "pointy" thermostats for Ns. (I have a Fergy, which also uses the pointy thermostat in the upper hose.)
 
Not sure if anyone else has experienced this one. I over filled the radiator prepping for subzero temps and was running the tractor and experienced an overflow. That in itself isn't anything, but my oil fill tube is loose. The water likes to travel down the radiator hose and run down the block right across the oil fill tubes mounting hole. With a lose tube I had some water leak into my crankcase.

SO, check your oil fill tube for any wiggle.. That much milk froth would make me worry that there is too much water in the oil from something worse..
 
Gonna throw a Monkey wrench in here....I agree....you should run a stat....except....I have a cracked block in one of my tractors....the block was braised....no stat when I got it...I have hesitated to tempt fate....runs well...no milky stuff...and I guess the idea was to keep some pressure off of the repair.....am I all wet??
 
I thought that the stat did restrict some flow...thereby some pressure increase....but thinking it through...I concede the point!!....Ordering one tomorrow...
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top