Posted by Chris Jones on May 15, 2014 at 08:10:54 from (71.71.58.79):
I've been doing small engine work for a few years now. I had a customer drop off a tiller this AM and he said he ran it down a row yesterday and then he left it idling while he did something else. It cut off and neither the battery starter or the pull starter will turn it over now. He said the battery had been weak and I hoped the pull starter was just jammed. I remove the pull starter and it's completely fine. I checked the transmission clutch and found it was engaged so I put it in neutral hoping it was just stupidity. No go. I finally got a 12" breaker bar and socket on the nut under the pull starter and with that was able to turn the engine with some effort. So I checked the oil dipstick. Nothing! In an effort to see just how low it was, I drained the oil and got maybe 2 oz out of it. It looks like it probably is supposed to hold 20oz. At this point I think it's fairly obvious it was running with insufficient oil and has seized/partially seized as I can turn it now with considerable effort using the pull starter--it will not spin and I doubt I can pull it fast enough to start it.
Is there any point in doing any more? Should I tell the customer the engine is shot or give them any hope that with new oil and a lot of turning perhaps it'll loosen up enough to start and with running free up any more? At this point I probably will not charge anything but if I have to spend more time I'll have to charge. Frankly I'm not sure if it would free up any or not. Rebuilding the engine may or may not be feasible as I don't know what a mess has been done inside and if it's limited to the main bearings, the connecting rod bearings or the piston and cylinder. I can replace parts but I'm not set up to resurface cranks or hone cylinders etc. I'm sure this customer will accept running--even if it's smoking heavily if possible.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Earthmaster Project Progress Just a little update on my Earthmaster......it's back from the dead! I pulled the head, and soaked the stuck valves with mystery oil overnight, re-installed the head, and bingo, the compression returned. But alas, my carb foiled me again, it would fire a second then flood out. After numerous dead ends for a replacement carb, I went to work fixing mine.I soldered new floats on the float arm, they came from an old motorcycle carb, replaced the packing on the throttle shaft with o-rings, cut new ga
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
