Grey/Green oil in Ford 8N

Rickysampson · Jan 19, 2019

A friend purchased this 1950 Ford 8N tractor. We went to do general maintenance and the oil is disgusting, thick and discolored. It almost looks like old puss. Are we looking at a blown head gasket and this color is from antifreeze getting into oil?

Steve@Advance · Jan 19, 2019

Depends on where it came from.

Probably coolant, likely a blown head gasket.

Possibly rain water if it was stored outside.

Does it run? If it's not stuck and has enough compression to run, might try flushing the oil with some diesel, refill it with some cheap 30 weight, run it enough to see what happens. If it is a head gasket there will be other symptoms, like steaming exhaust, mystery coolant loss, misfire, coolant pushed out the radiator even before it gets hot, and coolant returning to the oil.

There is supposed to be an inline thermostat, typically they get removed. It needs some heat to keep the oil clear of condensation.

Might look also at the transmission/rear housing for water. They collect water, rain comes in around the shifter.

If it will run, that will give you a chance to put it through the motions, drive it around, see what all needs to be done. Best to have an overall game plan, decide on a budget practicality, go in and fix everything at once instead of having to break it down twice.

showcrop · Jan 19, 2019

That could just be from normal operation. A lot of people like to start something old like that every week and run it for a couple minutes in order to "take good care of it". Don't forget that water is a product of combustion. Here in the north country during cold weather ALL vehicles have steam coming out of the exhaust for a few minutes after being started. If your N was run frequently but not worked to get it hot enough to drive the moisture out, it would make the oil look like that after a few months.

David G · Jan 20, 2019

Probably water, as stated, worst thing you can do is start engine and not let it warm up good.

John Deere D · Jan 20, 2019

When I was a teenager.. had commenced my Power Engineering progression.....we had a substance obtained from the oil pan / oil sump of a G333 cat Engine.

The LEAD (Third Class Power Engineer)on the findings commented, "if it tastes sweet it's Dowetherm / Glycol based anti freeze!

The lead in now 96 with no health issues yet.

I would not recommend this practice,however, if its sweet its some composition of Glycol Anti Freeze and yes, it's poisons and harmful to your organs.

Bob....

David G · Jan 20, 2019

Not really looking like anything I would want to lick.

Grey/Green oil in Ford 8N

Rickysampson

New User

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

John Deere D

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

Similar threads