JD 4040 low oil pressure, and steam/smoke from oil fill cap

Farmer1715

New User
Ok so I'm new to working on engines, so please bear with me as I try to get some answers with this problem.
So I have a John Deere 4040, that sat for a few years and I've been working on getting it serviced so I can use it for field work. I started discing the field today and I noticed my oil pressure was low, and it was puffing smoke/steam out of a relief tube, I took off the oil fill cap and smoke/steam was coming out. I'm wondering if anyone could help me troubleshoot this and give me some advice on what needs to be done to solve this.
the oil level is fine, the tractor is not overheating, and there's no abnormal sounds.
thanks
 

Does it have new oil in the crankcase? What is the oil pressure? How many hours on it? Some blowby out the breather is normal on a high houred tractor. when you open up the oil fill is there foam under it. If no foam you don't have steam.
 
Get you check book out as it seems as you have A LOT of blow by. But, before we jump on the rebuild band wagon. Does it have oil in the coolant ? Coolant in the oil ? Usually on a cracked head or leaking cylinder sleeve you'll have oil in the coolant as the oil pressure is higher then the Coolant pressure. If its white and foggy coming from the valve cover its time for a rebuild!!!! Price wise. You can get $10k in a rebuild pretty darn easy ....
 
showcrop
no the oil isnt new, I was told it had an oil
change right before being parked, and the oil
doesnt look too bad. I'm not sure of the oil
pressure, the gauge on the tractor only has a
high-low gauge with low being about 25% of the
gauge marked in red, but it was just inside the
red zone, and when the engine was revved it would
come out of the redzone.
its got 1612 hours on it.
I haven't seen any foam in there when it was
smoke/steaming.
 
husker44a
i dont see or smell any oil in the coolant, or vice versa, that i can see that is,
ya I was hoping to not need a rebuild right now due to needing it for my farm, but if its time its time.
 
If it sat for a few years it could be condensation in the oil. Change the oil and filter then put a test gauge on it so you know what you have for oil pressure. Maybe you'll get lucky.
 
Change the coolant now with a HD diesel rated concentrate mixed with distilled, not tap water.
Old antifreeze turns acidic when the corrosion inhibiter wears out. You don"t want to pay for sleeve replacements .
The transmission oil is likely just as icky as the engine oil . Drain , change filter and refill with Hy-gard.
Put a real pressure gauge on there and test the engine oil pressure. Old gauges do go out of calibration with age but do you feel lucky?
The 4040 is a pretty decent little tractor. iirc it has a Dubuque engine in a Waterloo chassis.
I know it costs $$$ but save yourself $$$ in the long run by purchasing the operator"s and service manual. 1-800-522-7448. The parts manual is online at the JD web site.
 
Hi
you say it has 1600 hours in it and it sat A while how long did it sit for? . 1600 hrs is not a lot for that age tractor. are you sure it's not 11600 hours and coming round the clock again or higher hours as the clock wasn't working a while. Hows the wear on tires, cab trim and the anti slip treads on the pedals?. Does it look right for not run in yet
It could be condensation in the oil evaporating with the heat i've seen that the odd time, or if on second time round the clock/ hours wrong it could just be worn out and time for re build.

I know of a tractor showing 7500 hours now, i was offered it by a dealer but talked to the old owners friend. It actually has 17500 hours! and the dealers not telling guys the truth so be ware with what you got!
Regards Robert
 
robert major
it sat for 3 years I believe. it did also sit for a good period of time before that though, probably around 4 years, after which it was working fine.
it could very well be 11600 hours, it was my grandpa's tractor before I got it, and he bought it new from the john deere dealer, and it was his main tractor for all those years of farming. so im sure it has more hours on it.
the trim and fabric/insulation on the cab is all in really bad condition, most of is gone or falling off. the pedal treads still look pretty good though
thanks for the advice robert
 
I'm just curious. Did you just get this tractor? Where are you located and what's the serial number of it? I might have not so good news for you.
 
no, I've had this tractor for over 5 years, and it was my grandfather's before that,
I'm in california.
Why? whats the news?
 
I traded one off in Michigan that should have had the crank ground and had oversized main bearings put in,but I guess it's not the same tractor.
a118788.jpg
 

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