8N no oil pressure

[BigstarATX]

I know I know I know….. this has been covered. I read some of your posts and tried some of your tricks but no luck. I just got my 8N to start yesterday and today when I was getting ready to do an oil change I checked the oil gauge and NOTHING….. I unscrewed the oil line at the gauge and at the engine where it runs from the gauge. I cranked it for a second but couldn’t get oil to come out. I unscrewed the oil filter cap and the filter was empty. I poured some oil down the tube and filled the filter can halfway, I also took the “large” bolt and spring out of the front of the block and poured some oil down in there. Some oil came out of the connector where the oil gauge screws in at the back of the block. I screwed everything together and cranked it up for a second but no oil pressure. Any ideas on a quicker and easier solutions???

I went ahead and drained my oil and it looked like caramel chocolate milk. I have no idea what the history of the tractor is. Any thoughts?

 

[HFJ]

u can't just "pour" oil in that hole and prime the pump. the hole closed by the 15/16"plug is the first of a series of two holes, the second being about an inch or two behind the first. did u get the oil u added thru BOTH holes? if not, you only added it to the oil pan and it won't prime the pump like that. take a jug of 90W, put a piece of fuel line long enough to fit thru both holes on it, and put it thru both holes and squeeze out a good 4 or more ounces.

 

[soaked]

I know I know I know….. this has been covered. I read some of your posts and tried some of your tricks but no luck. I just got my 8N to start yesterday and today when I was getting ready to do an oil change I checked the oil gauge and NOTHING….. I unscrewed the oil line at the gauge and at the engine where it runs from the gauge. I cranked it for a second but couldn’t get oil to come out. I unscrewed the oil filter cap and the filter was empty. I poured some oil down the tube and filled the filter can halfway, I also took the “large” bolt and spring out of the front of the block and poured some oil down in there. Some oil came out of the connector where the oil gauge screws in at the back of the block. I screwed everything together and cranked it up for a second but no oil pressure. Any ideas on a quicker and easier solutions???

I went ahead and drained my oil and it looked like caramel chocolate milk. I have no idea what the history of the tractor is. Any thoughts?

Hi BigstarATX, first thing I would do, is put fingers up in the oil pan drain hole, and see if the oil pick up tube is still soldered tight in the oil pump cover plate. If not, it can suck air, so the pump wont prime.

 

[BigstarATX]

You guys rock…. I did NOT know there were two holes. I just stuck the hose in the first hole. I’ll try again tomorrow. The tractor is empty now. So I remove the oil drzin plug again and stick my finger up in there to feel if there is a metal tube sticking down? When I removed the drain plug earlier there was NOT a screen attached to the plug. Is there supposed to be one on there? How important is that?

 

[soaked]

You guys rock…. I did NOT know there were two holes. I just stuck the hose in the first hole. I’ll try again tomorrow. The tractor is empty now. So I remove the oil drzin plug again and stick my finger up in there to feel if there is a metal tube sticking down? When I removed the drain plug earlier there was NOT a screen attached to the plug. Is there supposed to be one on there? How important is that?

Yes, see if the end of the tube has movement. It may flex 1/8 inch, or so if still soldered good. It should not move and stay. I just had one that when wiggled, it was obvious the solder joint was loose at the pump cover plate.

Yes should have a screen. I wouldnt run without one.
This is a pickup tube

 

[HFJ]

presumably, when u removed the plug from the front of the engine, a spring and plunger-like thing came out with it. that shows u how far apart the 2 holes are. that plunger seals the inner hole.

 

[BigstarATX]

Gotcha. It’s awfully tight in there. I didn’t realize I had to thread the hose back in there. I’ll get on that tomorrow

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

I know I know I know….. this has been covered. I read some of your posts and tried some of your tricks but no luck. I just got my 8N to start yesterday and today when I was getting ready to do an oil change I checked the oil gauge and NOTHING….. I unscrewed the oil line at the gauge and at the engine where it runs from the gauge. I cranked it for a second but couldn’t get oil to come out. I unscrewed the oil filter cap and the filter was empty. I poured some oil down the tube and filled the filter can halfway, I also took the “large” bolt and spring out of the front of the block and poured some oil down in there. Some oil came out of the connector where the oil gauge screws in at the back of the block. I screwed everything together and cranked it up for a second but no oil pressure. Any ideas on a quicker and easier solutions???

I went ahead and drained my oil and it looked like caramel chocolate milk. I have no idea what the history of the tractor is. Any thoughts?

As noted NEVER just add oil without verifying level by the dipstick on the block first. With engine cold, be sure it is marked in the range on stick. A hot motor will give false readings. The oil is added via the oil air breather tube on the LH side of engine block. There is a breather filter cap on top, remove it first, pour slowly to avoid backwash.

NEXT, there is ONLY ONE DRAIN PLUG for engine oil. The oil drain plug is on the bottom of the engine crankcase, nearest the front of tractor. Also noted, the drain plug comes with an attached device with a filter screen on it. The oil pump is primed and picked up thru this system. Got your Manuals???

An OIL GAUGE that isn’t working/reading can be caused by one or more issues. First is there is no oil in the system so verify on dipstick level is up to a safe mark. Next is a line could be plugged. Go to back of dash and loosen the oil fitting on the gauge. Take your air compressor and set at a low pressure then gently blow out the gauge inlet with the nozzle. Observe if you get any gauge needle movement. Yes? Continue. No? You probably have a defective gauge. 0-50 PSI Gauge, $15 sold here under parts. If gauge reads OK, reconnect line fitting and observe if you now get oil pressure on it at start up. Yes? Problem solved. No? Loosen oil line again and try blowing out thru line fitting. Oil lines feed to brass junction elbows on the block and one goes to the bottom of the oil filter housing. Oil Canister could be plugged as well but wait for now til an oil change to test. There is also an oil line that connects to the governor for lube as well. This also can be plugged. This should determine the true root cause of your problem.

FINALLY - the other two drain plugs going towards the rear of tractor are the hydraulic/transmission housing – they share the same sump. The third drain is on the rear diffy housing. Best to get the ESSENTIAL MANUALS if’N ya wanna be a FORD TRACTOR OWNER/OPERATOR

Tim Daley (MI)

 

[DN-N-TN]

u can't just "pour" oil in that hole and prime the pump. the hole closed by the 15/16"plug is the first of a series of two holes, the second being about an inch or two behind the first. did u get the oil u added thru BOTH holes? if not, you only added it to the oil pan and it won't prime the pump like that. take a jug of 90W, put a piece of fuel line long enough to fit thru both holes on it, and put it thru both holes and squeeze out a good 4 or more ounces.

I took in on trade an old 51' 8N that had set for about 10 years, and I figured the engine was stuck, but to my surprise, it wasn't. I got it running and the first thing I noticed, was that, it had no oil pressure. I used the method described by HFJ to prime the pump and I then and since then, I have oil pressure. I bush hogged about an hour with it yesterday afternoon, and it has 20 PSI at an idle and 45 PSI revved up. Hope you have as good luck with yours.

 

[BigstarATX]

Is it common for the screen to fall off of the drain plug inside the oil pan? I’m wondering if I should drop the pan before I order another drain plug?

Should I go ahead and try to prime the oil pump without the screen on the drain plug before I drain and pull the pan??

 

[wore out]

Is it common for the screen to fall off of the drain plug inside the oil pan? I’m wondering if I should drop the pan before I order another drain plug?

Should I go ahead and try to prime the oil pump without the screen on the drain plug before I drain and pull the pan??

The screen is supposed to be soldered to the drain plug, I'm not sure why the solder joint cracks sometimes and lets the parts separate.

Once loose, the screen can't go anywhere except into a P.O.'s oil drain pan, the oil pickup tube assembly blocks it from going in harm's way, in the rest of the crankcase where it would likely get slapped around by the connecting rods.

 

[Den N Ms]

Bigstar,​

Oil Pump Prime ,Putting oil in the oil pressure gauge line is the easiest
place to prime the pump.Take the line loose from the gauge then take a 1/2 pint pump oil squirt can, or even a pump up garden sprayer hook up length of vacuum hose to the oil can/sprayer and to the oil line.Pump 2 full cans of motor oil in the line install the line and tighten it up,then start the engine immediately.The oil will fill the oil galley run down to the mains and rod bearings,camshaft and fill/prime the oil pump.Much easier than at the bypass valve.
It also lubes the bearings so no dry startup.You can also plug off the oil filter line at the brass T fitting so all oil goes to the oil galley and not some to the oil filter.

As Wore Out said check for a loose pick up tube.

 

[BigstarATX]

I was WONDERING if putting oil down the gauge line was an option…. I wish I had known that before I scratched the crap out of my old man hands getting in behind the distributor yesterday. I’ll give that a try. I’m wondering if for the time being is it ok that my drain plug doesn’t have a screen on it?

 

[wore out]

I was WONDERING if putting oil down the gauge line was an option…. I wish I had known that before I scratched the crap out of my old man hands getting in behind the distributor yesterday. I’ll give that a try. I’m wondering if for the time being is it ok that my drain plug doesn’t have a screen on it?

"I’m wondering if for the time being is it ok that my drain plug doesn’t have a screen on it?"

I wouldn't.

With sitting and now you are mucking around with it who knows how much dirt and debris will getting kicked up. Or, perhaps hardly any at all.

They do not have a "full flow" oil filter, so any small stuff will go right through the bearings, and anything a little bigger will first gouge the oil pump (or maybe even break it) BEFORE it gets to the bearings.

The screen isn't perfect, but it's all the protection your engine has!

 

[BigstarATX]

Got it. Plug is ordered.

 

[Eman85]

Got it. Plug is ordered.

You have no clue of the history of the tractor. The oil looked like caramel when you drained it. Worrying about a screen at the pickup is not something I would care about. Put the plug in dump oil in prime the pump and start the tractor. Then you can evaluate whether you have something that is worth having. Be sure you have coolant in it, run it and then check the oil and the coolant. See if the motor knocks, smokes, leaks or puts coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant.

 

[BigstarATX]

I’m waiting for the drain plug with the screen before I put the new oil in. It runs and idles fine although I shut it down quickly when I saw no oil pressure.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

You guys rock…. I did NOT know there were two holes. I just stuck the hose in the first hole. I’ll try again tomorrow. The tractor is empty now. So I remove the oil drzin plug again and stick my finger up in there to feel if there is a metal tube sticking down? When I removed the drain plug earlier there was NOT a screen attached to the plug. Is there supposed to be one on there? How important is that?

I know I know I know….. this has been covered. I read some of your posts and tried some of your tricks but no luck. I just got my 8N to start yesterday and today when I was getting ready to do an oil change I checked the oil gauge and NOTHING….. I unscrewed the oil line at the gauge and at the engine where it runs from the gauge. I cranked it for a second but couldn’t get oil to come out. I unscrewed the oil filter cap and the filter was empty. I poured some oil down the tube and filled the filter can halfway, I also took the “large” bolt and spring out of the front of the block and poured some oil down in there. Some oil came out of the connector where the oil gauge screws in at the back of the block. I screwed everything together and cranked it up for a second but no oil pressure. Any ideas on a quicker and easier solutions???

I went ahead and drained my oil and it looked like caramel chocolate milk. I have no idea what the history of the tractor is. Any thoughts?

What??? TWO holes??? What are you talking about??? Get your MANUALS and read B4 you try to do any work on your tractor. There is BUT ONLY ONE place that engine oil is used to get to crankcase and that is the LH Side of block thru the oil breather tube and element, to the left and below the oil canister. Element cap gets removed, oil is poured down tube slowly so as not to cause backwash. Engine Oil Capacity is 5 QUARTS with 1 QUART in the filter canister. NEVER just pour all 6 in at once; there's always a small amount in the system even when you do an oil change and drain old. Your problem isn't a missing screen on drain plug so just buying a new one and replacing won't do jack. There is a problem in the oil pickup tube and possibly oil pump. Your I&T F0-4 Service Manual has a chapter on the oil pump servicing and rebuild. You need the 39-53 MPC to get drawings of all parts and their part numbers. If you aren't sure and can't do the job, I advise to let a qualified shop do the work. We are all trying to help.

Tim Daley (MI)

 

[HFJ]

amazing how someone can turn this thread into proof that someone doesn't know how to add oil to their tractor. READ!

edit: thank you to whoever removed all those posts.

 

[BigstarATX]

I truly appreciate the help and opinions. I know how to do the oil change I DIDN’T however know about priming the oil pump. This tractor is turning into a giant toy for me. It’s like a grown up toy model. Incredibly therapeutic and satisfying to work on. You guys have taught me a lot so far and I have to say it’s nice to be a part of a forum community that is helpful. I have the correct drain plug now and will put the new oil in on Monday.