Low Oil Pressure

[Lastcat]

Hello, first time post here. I have a friend that bought this Oliver Cletrac HG42. I was there when the guy brought it down from Port Angles, Wa. Needed lots of work, it started and he unloaded this off the trailer.

I am not sure why he bought it, but asked if I could work on it. Wow, did I get deep into this thing. The Hydraulics would not hold the Blade up and it was neglected, old, tired and worn out  

So, new cylinders, hoses, a few fittings. The Hyd. Tank was mounted on the Left Side, along with the Battery. I moved the tank to the front, and the Battery under the Gas Tank. The wiring was shot, pulled everything out and started over. Between work and weekends, its been about 2 months. I had to travel just 5 miles to his place, load all my tools, and work when I could, and only on clear days here in Wa. State. That was about 3 times a week.

Finally got all the Hydraulics hooked up, hoses, air cleaner, battery, gauges, new parts here and there. Fixed the leaking gas tank. Thing was in poor shape. Whoever worked on it, really had no idea what they were do. Or, they had given up years ago, and it sat neglected.

Not sure of the Year or even the Model, no tags anywhere. The HG42 came from the seller.

I had it running last week, pushing dirt around, seem to run ok, not much in Power, its an old and tired IXK3 3 1/8". Everything seemed great, I was going to be done, end of project. But it died...argh!  

Wouldn't start when it got hot. I waited about 30 mins and it started, but died again. So I read here, that it could be the Condenser in the XH 113 Magneto. Then I removed the old Universal No Name Carb, and rebuilt the Original Carb that came with it, a Marvel Schebler TSX 403.

Got the Carb rebuilt and added new points and condenser, started right up  

Ran for a good 45 mins, then died, like it was running out of fuel. So I got out the Timing Light, hooked up to #1 Plug and tried starting it, but I was getting intermittent Spark. So I waited for an hour, maybe the Coil was getting too hot. The Magneto sure felt hot.

After an hour, it started right up. I ran it for another Hour, Yea Ha!! But, I need to figure out if the Coil is getting too hot and shutting it down. I will contact MagnetoParts.com Monday and ask a few questions.

Ok, on to the original Topic, Low Oil Pressure.

I added new gauges, Alt., Oil and Water Temp. The Oil pressure gauge reads zero   I can see oil moving up the Clear Tubing, just out of the Fitting on the Block, but only moves up a few inches, maybe 5 inches up the tube. And I would be running it for a long time, and check, still at zero.   Dang, thing is plugged. Unbolted the Brass Oil Fitting to the Block and it was clear. Blew compressed air into the block, thinking it was plugged. Hooked everything back up, and still Zero Oil Pressure  

Really want to be done with this job, get paid and send this thing home. Oh, when I got it running last week, I put it on the Trailer and brought to my Shop. No more trips.  

I read a few people that mention the IXK3 Engines are notorious for low oil pressure.

Question, should I replace the Oil Pump?

I rather leave it as is, doesn't knock or rattle, its getting oil pressure, just not to the gauge. What does the Jury have to say? Please help, stuck in Cletrac Land. Anyone recognize the Blade on this? I have searched Youtube, here and all over, and never seen another like it.

Pump or No Pump?



Cheers
Lastcat

[Blake Malkamaki]

Have you tried a different gauge? 5 psi is sufficient.

[oliverchris]

I've got an oil gauge like that with the clear piping (on my Oliver 550) - never gets all the way up the pipe - but the machine runs like a dream. Haven't got around to fitting a new gauge. Wondering if the tubing is too thin, and/or there's an air lock in it?? The factory copper tube is definitely thicker.

[Lastcat]

Thanks Chris and Blake for responding, appreciate that. Yes, I tried a different gauge and held it lower than the outlet fitting on the block. Still zero pressure. The engine is getting oil when it runs, just not enough to get to the Gauge.

Well I talked to Lancy at Zimmermans in PA.

Great guy, has lots of info on Cletracs. He said the first would be Bearing to Journal Tolerance. If too loose, then pressure to the gauge would be low.

Second concern would be the oil pump.

Well, that about sounds like my case. This IXK3 is old and gets a bit noisy at high revs. But when using this Dozer around my place, it runs like a champ. Never a rattle or knock, just keeps on ticking. I know the engine could be rebuilt, which I refuse to do, for lack of time. But I ran it today for 2 hours, moved dirt, oh and get this.

I had my Landlord over, really nice guy in his 70's. Showed him the work I have been doing. He asked if I could plow under an Overhang where he keeps his horses. Which is about 8" of Dried Manure. Then he said there was an old truck bed in the tall grass, and asked if I could push it out in the field so he could haul it away.

Truck bed was buried up to the axles. Finally got it loose, and pushed it out into the open. Then carved down the Horse Stable back to dirt.

This Cletrac just kept humming along, never a rattle or knock. So I guess I will get it back to the Owner, get paid, and be done. Just let him know its old and needs someone to rebuild the engine, if he chooses. I'll post more pictures and a video this week.

Lastcat

[John Schwiebert]

Do you know what a bearing leak detector is? Most likely that engine has poured bearing shells. You could tighten up the clearance by removing shims. Also there is an external adjustment for oil pressure.

[Lastcat]

Do you know what a bearing leak detector is? Most likely that engine has poured bearing shells. You could tighten up the clearance by removing shims. Also there is an external adjustment for oil pressure.

Yes I heard about removing shims. But where can one adjust oil pressure? Near the oil filter?

[hotratz]

On my IXB-3 engine, at the base of the oil filler tube just above the generator and left of the filter there is a domed cap with wrench flats on it. Take the cap off and there is an adjustment screw to adjust the pressure. I believe if you screw it in you increase the pressure. Like Blake said, at idle you only will see about 5 psi and at full throttle about 15-17 psi.

[Lastcat]

Thanks hotratz.

I checked the valve, it had a bad plunger. Replaced that. But any adjustments made no changes. I think Lancy from Zimmermans, had the best info so far, loose tolerance on the Journals. Looks like this Cletrac needs engine rebuilding.

[Blake Malkamaki]

Does it have any knocks? Have you tried some heavier oil? It may not be the preferred answer, but as long as the oil is circulating, and with your limited use, heavier oil might just be enough to get by for many years.