Got back into the motor today, the same rod bearing that had spun before has spun again. (3rd back from front) It was installed correctly according to the manual and torqued to specs. Any ideas what could cause this to happen? I didn't notice any movement on the crankshaft when we had everything out, but could it have some movement that would make that happen? I'm afraid I'm at the end of my capabilities here..
Branson 3510 Motor Issue
- Thread starter Wadmalaw
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DavesTractor
Elite Member
I probably should read back through the thread....did you replace the rod or have it checked? Did you plastigage the rod/crank assembly to check for proper clearance upon reassembly? If all that is good, then I wonder if we aren't getting oil to that rod journal somehow?
Zork
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,099
- Location
- Virginia
- Tractor
- '04 Branson 3520, '51 Fergy, '96 MTD 18/46, '02 Craftsman GT5000/48
Sorry to hear this. Plastigage is a must. I am not sure of the oil flow pattern through the crankshaft but I would check at least one rod and one main bearing upstream and one after the failed bearing to see what the oil supply (if any) /lubrication/wear looks like.
Well, the update is not good. The shop (they are also a Kubota dealer) broke the motor down and said that the motor is shot from all the bearing metal running through it. Say I need a new crank, oil pump, other parts.. quoting me a cost of $6,000.
Of course, they are offering to buy it from me / take it on trade. They're saying they'd offer me $7,000 for it running, (with the FEL) so with $6k repair bill, I'd only have $1000 in equity.
I'd like to know what you guys think, but I feel like I'm about to get hosed.
Of course, they are offering to buy it from me / take it on trade. They're saying they'd offer me $7,000 for it running, (with the FEL) so with $6k repair bill, I'd only have $1000 in equity.
I'd like to know what you guys think, but I feel like I'm about to get hosed.
DavesTractor
Elite Member
I think they are a little high on the rebuild and a little low on the trade-in. Your used loader should be worth $1500 or so, and if you found a guy nearby with a Branson and was really looking for a loader, you might get $2500 for it. Tires and wheels are worth $500. The tractor should be worth a minimum of what the used loader and used tires are worth.
Value of your tractor running well should be around $10k I'd think, on a retail basis, less for trade-in.
On the repair, they have to quote a worse case scenario. It can get real expensive. But that seems high. You might ask for a detailed breakdown.
Zork
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,099
- Location
- Virginia
- Tractor
- '04 Branson 3520, '51 Fergy, '96 MTD 18/46, '02 Craftsman GT5000/48
[EDIT:I misunderstood the top of the post. Your tractor is worth much more than $1000, especially to some schlep like me whom might want a parts vehicle and, at the price of steel it may be worth that much. For $1k you should haul it home and put a "parting out" sign on it with an add, then go buy a tractor].
With your abilities you can take the engine out to have all the passages cleaned and replace any worn or damaged parts - but that requires time.
Or, if time is an issue you can get a short or long block with a warranty and swap everything out and be on your way.
Using your tractor as a trade you can tell the shop it was running (but not very well), lol, when you brought it in so you would like the higher trade value, please.
Or, as a last resort, get out the phone book and see if any other manufacturer's dealer's will talk since now is no time to be loyal. There may be other makes out there which aren't moving (probably most) and they might be willing to give you more as a trade. If you decide to go this route you may have the greatest advantage if you take all your paperwork/title, etc. and be willing to deal (without moving your tractor). I do not know the degree of damage involved with your engine but the dealer may see you more at a disadvantage for a trade because he has your tractor apart. There may be a diagnostic fee involved at the present shop if you proceed this way.
If you get a few bites with other dealers and you want to stay with Branson you may get a better deal since the current dealer already has your engine apart and doesn't have to worry about the "unknowns" as if you were trading it before the diagnosis.
Anyway, good luck and keep us posted.
With your abilities you can take the engine out to have all the passages cleaned and replace any worn or damaged parts - but that requires time.
Or, if time is an issue you can get a short or long block with a warranty and swap everything out and be on your way.
Using your tractor as a trade you can tell the shop it was running (but not very well), lol, when you brought it in so you would like the higher trade value, please.
Or, as a last resort, get out the phone book and see if any other manufacturer's dealer's will talk since now is no time to be loyal. There may be other makes out there which aren't moving (probably most) and they might be willing to give you more as a trade. If you decide to go this route you may have the greatest advantage if you take all your paperwork/title, etc. and be willing to deal (without moving your tractor). I do not know the degree of damage involved with your engine but the dealer may see you more at a disadvantage for a trade because he has your tractor apart. There may be a diagnostic fee involved at the present shop if you proceed this way.
If you get a few bites with other dealers and you want to stay with Branson you may get a better deal since the current dealer already has your engine apart and doesn't have to worry about the "unknowns" as if you were trading it before the diagnosis.
Anyway, good luck and keep us posted.
Last edited:
DavesTractor
Elite Member
Zork,
Good ideas you have. I have a buddy that dusted his engine, and I hated to charge him the nearly $5k for us to do all the work. So he and his father-in-law removed the engine and brought it to us. We tore it down and had the machine work done and put it together and gave it back to him. They did the reinstallation and had the radiator cleaned, new water pump, new hoses and belts (all those things that are smart when a motor is pulled) and ended up saving over $1000. I should say they earned that $1000 for their own labor. They were fearful of doing the rebuild, but well within their capabilities doing the installation.
Good ideas you have. I have a buddy that dusted his engine, and I hated to charge him the nearly $5k for us to do all the work. So he and his father-in-law removed the engine and brought it to us. We tore it down and had the machine work done and put it together and gave it back to him. They did the reinstallation and had the radiator cleaned, new water pump, new hoses and belts (all those things that are smart when a motor is pulled) and ended up saving over $1000. I should say they earned that $1000 for their own labor. They were fearful of doing the rebuild, but well within their capabilities doing the installation.
liles
New member
I need a complete break-down of a 3510 Mahindra motor can anyone help me? send to leonardiles@bellsouth.net.
