stuck engine

[Larry Flynt]

After 4 hours of discing, I turned my MF tractor off for the day. The next day I found the engine stuck. Removal of the oil pan indicated the oil had become so thick and sticky the engine was locked. I had added 1 quart of 30 weight oil the day before. The oil now has a thickness of VERY heavy molasses and it is hard to romove the oil stick. Has anyone encountered this problem????

 

[Texasmark]

To help you we would need some history of the tractor and your maintenance procedures.

Usually when working a tractor the oil would get hot and thin out (due to reduced viscosity) not thicken.

Mark

 

[Anonymous-0]

How long you had tractor?
Brand of oil and filter used?
How long since change?
Previous problems?
Brand and model of tractor?
Diesel or gas?
Help us out a little and maybe we can help you.
Tom

 

[Anonymous-0]

Over time oil actually increases in viscosity. It collects dirt, metal, and other contaniments which bond together and make the oil thicker. Good oils and better yet good synthetic oils reduce the rate of thickening and last much longer. But you are right, when it gets hot is thins out.

 

[Allan in NE]

Saw that happen years and years ago ('68 I think) when manufactures changed to the 195° thermostats. Had to dig the old-fashioned straight weight oils out of the pan with a putty knife.

Also, 'nother thought. Have any "friends" with a sugar bowl?

Allan

 

[Bob Huntress]

Is the engine gas or diesel? If it is a gas engine, have you tried to jack the engine manually? As others have already stated, you haven't given enough information to help you much. In most cases, a stuck engine can be freed, so if you can share what size the engine is, gas or diesel and whatever issues you have been having prior to this, such as over heating etc., we can most likely help.

 

[Bob Huntress]

Consider that blow by, such as an older diesel, cause a great deal of thickening. Also remember that his engine had cooled down overnight prior to his discovery of the thickened oil. Oil that has deteriorated oftened gells when cold. In every case of thickened oil that I have dealt with, a lack of preventive maintenance was at the root cause.

 

[Anonymous-0]

To make a long story short; we had a customer who suffered a similar malady. Turned out the "engine oil" he added from a container marked 15-40, contained 85-140 gear oil instead. His hired man had used the container to add some gear oil to a gearbox on the combine. However, after adding the gear oil he didn't pour the extra back in the drum. It was a very hot day so the gear oil came out of the container quite easy when the customer added it to the tractor.

 

[dieselpaul]

yes.---i have seen a fuller trans with c-50 syn lube topped off with a little 80-90.

 

[Kelly C]

Body shop rates are getting redicules. A couple weeks ago I hit a pheasant with the wifes 03 Caravan. It was -25 so it cracked the front bumper cover. Asked a body shop how much to fix. About $1000 he said.
I will get back to you on that.
I checked on line. I found a new front bumper cover painted to match and shipped for $250.
I guess I will keep the $800 difference and bolt it on my self.
You know I dont mind paying them to do it. i really dont want to. but for $800 for 15 min work I guess I will keep my money.

 

[Kelly C]

Funny. Dont know how this RE: got attached to this post.

 

[P Luna]

Makes me think maybe mixed synthetic oil with standard engine oil.Those two will for sure not mix!!!! P.Luna

 

[Anonymous-0]

most of the oil that i have drained out of an engine seems thinner than the new oil being put in.I think fuel getting by the rings (especially as the engine wears)tends to dilute the oil . bill m.

 

[comfortking]

I had this happen on a two cylinder air cooled kohler engine. I always washed the mower off and engine off and ended up filling the cooling shroud and fins up with trash. On a hot day motor started to loose a little power I thought it was lack of fuel. the following day motor would not turn over, oil was like (cosmaline ) sp, the stuff they used to put on unpainted new parts. You may have a heat problem.

 

[dej(Jed)]

The only thing that could have happened is that the oil oxidised. It didn't just happen.
It was either a cheap oil or an oil that hadn't been changed in a long time.

 

[Texasmark]

I agree on the oil thickening over time with contaminants. I guess I misunderstood his post and assumed he was comparing viscosity prior to running the engine (that day), to viscosity after running it for several hours (that day).

Mark