Air breather smoke

[WhiteStar]

Ford 860
12volt
Seems to run good


Not sure if this is supposed to happen, but today under heavy load I noticed smoke coming from the breather (above where you put in the oil) and where you add oil.

Is this normal?

 

[tractorsam]

Short answer - yes.

Slightly longer answer, when the engine runs a certain percentage of the combustion gases are forced past the piston rings and into the crankcase. When the engine is warm and under a heavy load there will be more gases, the volume of gas will also be greater on a worn engine. It's often called blowby and is entirely normal but can be an indicator of engine wear. However if it works fine otherwise I wouldn't worry about it. Sam

 

[WhiteStar]

Thanks, I have to put a new roof on our very old barn (new to us).

would rather not have to get the engine overhauled.

 

[souNdguy]

don't panic/. a lil smoke from the valve cover breather and or crank breather is normal on a worn engine.

heck.. one of my 850's has no 'colored' smoke out the tail pipe.. but does smoke a lil out both breathers.

starts every time and runs though..

soundguy

 

[Dean]

I would not call it "normal" but it is likely no real cause for concern.

The "smoke" is in indication that the engine is becoming worn and combustion gasses flowing past the rings are increasing.

If it starts and runs well now, it will likely do so for many years to come.

Dean

 

[john_Bud]

(quoted from post at 17:09:55 08/20/11)
Is this normal?

Yes, it's normal. Don't panic until you start fogging for bugs.

 

[sotxbill]

Running hd motor oils will help slightly.. Especially in diesel
engines where the oil can vaporized and then blown out of
the breather. API tests for hd oils require the oil to have an
improvement over regular oils. You can expect to see a 3 to
5 percent improvement. Run a 15w40 hd oil to help.