For starters what makes you think the engine is hurt?

I have seen that gasket installed wrong before thats why I mentioned it,I don't think the engine was hurt what makes you think it is ?If a journal or bearing was worn the oil pressure would not stay up it.

Tommy

I rather doubt that the engine is damaged. You said it had very low pressure, but you never said it was run for any length of time with NO pressure. As long as the oil is getting to the bearing surfaces and the engine isn't overheating, you should not have damaged it. If you have plenty of pressure ow, then I'd say you definitely did NOT damage it. The first sign of damage from insufficient lubrication is worn bearings and that is going to result in low oil pressure. Since you have plenty of pressure now, your bearings are fine.

Enjoy using your tractor! These are tough machines and will do a lot of work for you.

Rich Waugh

There could be latent damage that will set the stage for accelerated wear that won't manifest itself for 700 or 800 hours just due to the fact that bearing, and ring & liner damage would not be apparent without visual inspection. All else is pure speculation. One way to get a good idea of what is/was going on is to have an oil analysis performed on the old oil (if it's still available) and check for high lead, copper, & iron. It's a worthwhile investment in lieu of dropping the pan. Most simple analysis' run between $25 & $35.
In any event, I'm glad you were able to solve the problem quite simply. Good luck.

Thank all you very much for your kind replies.
I have a tendency to see only the worst possibilities.

These are things I have observed during engine performance:

I start up the engine. There is what I can only describe as a
clunking sound for about 10 seconds. Then the clunking gets quiet,
but there is considerable vibration. Even the FEL control levers shake.
My concern is that this noise and vibration developed while using
tractor with low oil pressure.
And it did not go away after the oil pressure was restored.
I asked the neighbor to start up his tractor to compare
engine sound and vibration. His 28 hp tractor is 15 years old,
but did not have such noise and vibration as mine.

These are only my inexperienced and untrained observations.
All comments and suggestions are humbly welcome.

The oil analysis sounds like a great place to start.
Can you suggest where to fine someone that can do such a test?


Best regards,

Pat L.

Put some hours on the tractor,what you are describing could be a fuel injector trying to clog then clearing itself out this would also make the tractor run rough,lite knocking and vibrate a little .

You never completly lost oil pressure so the engine was oiling,with low oil pressure the lower half was getting more oil than the top end.



Tommy

Quote:
Personally, I use STAVELY SERVICES and pay $27. per detailed analysis, but there are many others. Just Google oil analysis.

Tommy,
Correct. It could be a clogged/stuck injector - but not every time the engine starts. As patrick described, it sounds to me like a rod bearing slap until it gets a sufficient quantity of oil.

My 2¢ worth.

Many thanks again.

Would there be a way to locate
which cylinder contains the noisy component?
Perhaps a listening device of sort?
I do have access to one of those
stethoscope looking devices.

And If a clogged injector turns out to be the cause,
is there a way to clean them manually?

Best regards,

Pat L.