Which engine oil should go into a Yanmar Ke-13, Ke-14, Ke-16 or Ke-18? The manual specifies SAE 10W-30 for diesel engines, and 15W-40 is also perfectly suitable in our climate. In this guide you'll find all fluids, quantities and intervals for the entire Ke series.
Suitable for the entire series: Yanmar Ke-13, Ke-14, Ke-16 and Ke-18 (all versions).
| Fluid | Specification | Capacity | Change interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-30 (or 15W-40, see below), API CC or higher (diesel) | 2.2 L | first 50 hrs, then every 100 hrs or annually |
| Transmission/hydraulic oil | Yanmar TF-500 transmission fluid (or equivalent UTTO) | 7.0 L | first 50 hrs, then every 300 hrs |
| Front axle oil | Gear oil EP 90 (GL-4) | 2.4 L | first 50 hrs, then every 300 hrs |
| Coolant | Permanent antifreeze (JIS K2234 type 2 / modern long-life) | 3.0 L radiator + 0.4 L reserve tank | annually |
| Fuel | Diesel (below −10 °C: winter diesel) | 13 L | — |
The 3TNE68, 3TNA72 and 3TNE74 are swirl chamber diesel engines that live with soot in the oil; therefore use an oil with a diesel classification (API CC was the minimum in the manual, a modern CD/CF oil more than meets this). Oil that's too thin is a known cause of an illuminated oil pressure warning light — the manual literally mentions this in the troubleshooting table. After changing the oil, fill with 2.2 liters, start the engine and check that the oil pressure light goes out within 30 seconds; then check the level again.
Yes. The manual specifies 10W-30 as the standard recommendation, but a 15W-40 multigrade with diesel classification is equally suitable for these engines when used above approximately −10 °C — in Dutch practice, that's virtually the entire season. 15W-40 stays slightly thicker at operating temperature, which is actually beneficial for older engines with some wear or slight oil consumption: a more stable oil pressure and less consumption. Only those who frequently cold-start in severe winter frost are better off with 10W-30, due to quicker lubrication flow at startup. Our 15W-40 mini tractor oil in a 5-liter package (SKU-15W40) is specifically formulated for these Japanese diesel engines — with 2.2 liters per service, you can do two oil changes with it.
Important to know: on the Ke series, the hydraulic lift system and the power steering both run on the transmission oil. So using the wrong (too thick) oil is immediately noticeable through a sluggish lift and heavy steering in cold weather. Yanmar specifies TF-500; a modern UTTO transmission oil is the common alternative. With every 300-hour oil change, also replace the transmission oil strainer — located at the bottom of the housing, it catches the debris that would otherwise pass through the hydraulic pump.
The cooling system is small (3.4 L total), so contamination or a bit of scale buildup has a quick effect. Change annually with permanent antifreeze, flush the system if heavily contaminated, and check the radiator screen every 50 hours — a clogged screen is the main cause of overheating during tilling work in dry soil. The thermostat opens at 82 °C; if the engine stays too cold or gets too hot, replace it. During the annual fluid change, also check the fan belt (10–15 mm deflection under 10 kg of pressure, see the Yanmar Ke series maintenance schedule).
The Ke series has a water separator in the fuel line: drain it every 100 hours and immediately when the red float ring reaches the element. Use winter diesel during winter; the manual specifies special winter-grade fuel below −10 °C. After working on the fuel system, the electric fuel feed pump bleeds the system automatically: open the fuel valve, turn the ignition key to "on" for 5–10 seconds — see the operating and starting guide.
Product tip: oil and filter in one go? The value pack engine oil filter + 5 L 15W-40 (SKU-15W402/2) has been selected for, among others, the 3TNE68, 3TNA72 and 3TNE74 engine families (oil filter M20×1.5). Prefer individual parts: the complete filter set Ke-13 through Ke-18 (SKU-10090), the thermostat 82 °C (SKU-45015) and for the Ke-13/Ke-14 the water pump 3TNE68 (SKU-40068) — check your engine code before ordering.
