D15 head gasket and oil consumption
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=101645
Printed Date: 09 Sep 2025 at 6:22am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: D15 head gasket and oil consumption
Posted By: macgyver
Subject: D15 head gasket and oil consumption
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 9:43am
|
I've got a 1960 D15 that's apparently leaking coolant into the crankcase oil. This problem surfaced after I replaced the water pump. My wife was operating the tractor when the water pump failed, and I assume that engine overheated and damaged the head gasket. With the engine running, there doesn't seem to be any engine exhaust compression leaking into the cooling system, but there does seem to be more pressure in the crankcase from oil droplets splashing out of the dipstick opening. I plan to check compression in each cylinder before removing the head to help locate the problem and also determine whether it's time for an engine overhaul. The engine burns a quart of oil with every 5 hours or so of operation, and has done so since it came into our possession in 1998. Is that oil consumption coming from the valve guides? If so, what's the solution? Am I on the right track with the head gasket diagnosis? Thanks for your help. |
Replies:
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 10:08am
|
IF the engine overheated, it can cause the head gasket to fail. A quart of oil every 5 hours does seem like excessive oil consumption as well. Might be time for a rebuild on the top end.
------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: macgyver
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 11:10am
|
D-- Thanks for your reply. Per the top-end rebuild, what will reduce the oil consumption? What seals the valve stems? Is it guides/bushings that have to be replaced?
|
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 11:16am
|
Do the D series engines have the core plug in the top of the head. That is a first look on the W and CE engines with coolant in the oil. Replacing the core plugs won't help with excessive oil consumption, but it might get you back to where you were. Head gasket would be more likely if it just started with over-heating. ------------- http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 12:22pm
| A quart of engine oil burned every 5 hrs of use?? I assume this 5 hrs of use isn't pulling a plow or disc??? That thing needs new pistons and sleeves AND new valves and valve guides. And that means new mains and rods and cam bearings too. When those engines are in good condition, they burn ZERO oil, even when plowing. |
Posted By: macgyver
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2015 at 2:01pm
|
Thanks. I think I'll compression-check each cylinder first, and then rework the head to see what improvement comes from that before diving into the block. The tractor is in SW Missouri along with my manual. I hope the manual will include the proper compression range. Does anyone here have those numbers handy? Any suggestions for parts sources between NW Indiana and Springfield, Missouri?
|
Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 8:45am
| Any thing you do to head will most likely increase the amount of oil it uses. Might as well save your time and money and go through engine like the Dr. said. MACK |
Posted By: JimD
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 9:05am
|
I agree. Repairing the head will increase the pressure on the rings and the oil consumption will increase. Unless it's a freak thing like a single, very bad valve guide. Go with checking the freeze plugs in the head for starters and see if that is your water problem. I have only had 1 engine that had enough problem in the head that it alone was the fix. We could sit at the parade line (was a 38 B that we did not work) and be fine. After about 5 minutes of idle, it started smoking, and would get worse until it was throttled up and cleared out. We never worked the engine to see it consumed much. When I pulled the head down, 2 of the valves could rattle around inside the guides. Rebuilt the head and it stoppped. But again we didn't "work" the tractor so I can't say we improved anything other than "parade rest". ------------- Owner of http://www.OKtractor.com" rel="nofollow - OKtractor.com PM for an instant response on parts. Open M-F 9-6 Central. We have new and used parts. 877-378-6543 |
Posted By: macgyver
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 1:41pm
|
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. The most work for this tractor is cutting small brush w a rotary cutter. My wife says oil consumption is more like one quart for every 7 to 8 hours. I'm puzzled how more compression would increase consumption. Oil moving by gravity through valve guides into the combustion chamber would seem to be the primary problem now. How would more pressure increase burning? |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 2:44pm
| Trust me. If you grind valves on and engine that was maybe burning a little bit of oil, it is pretty much guareendamteed it will use MORE oil after a valve grind. |
Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 2:45pm
|
Grinding the valves and burning more oil is one of those old wives tales with no truth to it. I've ground lots of valves and never experienced increased oil usage. I think you will find unless you happen to have an extremely loose valve guide, it's time for a complete overhaul. ------------- "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford |
Posted By: JayIN
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 4:51pm
|
You grind the valves it will burn more. More PRESSURE blowing oil past the worn rings. ------------- sometimes I walk out to my shop and look around and think "Who's the idiot that owns this place?" |
Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2015 at 6:14pm
When it is running put you hand tight over the breather pipe in the valve cover. If you have much pressure with more compression in the cylinders and the rings are letting blow by you will then have more pressure. If it does not burn more oil it will come out the breather. Of course if your wife does not want you to spend money on a rebuild I can see where a few quarts of oil thru the summer might be the safest way out. |
macgyver wrote: