CK35 HST shattered piston at 400 hours

[TJP89]

So the outcome of your CK35 HST leak was what? 2013 CK35s had a 'very common' HST leak issue? Is there factual accessible data on that statement? If so, where, I'd like to read it. You now have a 2013 DK-40? Did you trade it up?

I have the exact same tractor, I have never seen anything on a common hydro leak. If there was such data at time of purchase, I likely would not have gone with the CK. If there is a problem, I would like to see that info.

 

[TJP89]

]If Kioti replaces all three pistons or the entire engine, then sure, I'll consider keeping it. But I think those options are just pipe dreams. If they realistically replace just the one broken piston -- or worse, and even more realistically, if I have to resort to a non-Kioti shop to replace just the one broken piston (because that's all I can afford) -- then every time I climb into the seat I'm going to be wondering how far behind are the other two. Or, what's going to fail next. So yes, for mental health purposes, I'll have to sell it.[/B]



Of course! That goes without saying. It would be a huge help to me if Kioti warrants a piston replacement for a period of time and allows it to be transferable. That would make the tractor so much easier to sell.



I'm happy to disclose it. My game plan moving forward is: I'm not loaning out my tractor anymore.

What doesn't make sense here is this. You can't afford to replace the engine, I get that, I don't have the money to shell out for a new engine myself. But, you're willing to take a hit of probably at least the same amount to sell the tractor if only one cylinder is replaced. It would probably be cheaper to replace the engine, than to replace a piston, sell the old one at a loss, then buy a new tractor. How much do you think a used tractor with a faulty engine is going to go for? I for one wouldn't even consider it. Don't be in such a hurry to sell, it will end up costing you as much as a new engine.

Now, if Kioti under some partial warranty deal or whatever, replaces the cylinder, checks the engine over, runs their tests (I think an oil analysis is a very good idea), and declares the engine good to go, especially with some sort of guarantee, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Chances are this is a one off manufacturing defect, and the rest of the engine is fine. I would be more concerned about what might be damaged then the slight possibility of another failure.

 

[CenTex Chris]

What doesn't make sense here is this. You can't afford to replace the engine, I get that, I don't have the money to shell out for a new engine myself. But, you're willing to take a hit of probably at least the same amount to sell the tractor if only one cylinder is replaced. It would probably be cheaper to replace the engine, than to replace a piston, sell the old one at a loss, then buy a new tractor.

The difference here is outgoing money vs. incoming money. It may be nearly the same amount either way, but for me it's easier to absorb the loss on the sale (in other words, not have that money coming in) than it is to spend it on a high-dollar fix (in other words, take cash away from me now). To put it another way, let's say there's a dollar amount -- say $8000 -- and I have to lose it in one of two ways: it either goes away as cash right now or I lose it as income on the value of a sale. It's less heartbreak if that money disappears on its way in vs. on its way out. If *that* makes sense.

New tractors can be financed. I just did that five years ago and I guess I can do it again if it comes down to that.

 

[Coyote machine]

I have the exact same tractor, I have never seen anything on a common hydro leak. If there was such data at time of purchase, I likely would not have gone with the CK. If there is a problem, I would like to see that info.

I think someone was/is blowing smoke. His signature by his avatar shows a 2013 DK-40. Something isn't adding up, so far. And I've never heard of any HST leak issue with CK series either:confused2:

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
Several times I've been told by this dealership and by some of you folks here that Kioti will definitely want to recover the remains of the piston for in-house examination and failure analysis. That may be true; guess I'm about to find out. However I'm not going to pay further out of pocket in order to provide that for them. If they really want that piston back, they'll have to get it on their own dime, not mine. I'm not about to just hand it over on the chance that they'll come back and say "sorry, we can't help you with this." I'll need up-front assurance that it won't go that way. Otherwise there's no incentive for me to take it to the dealer since my own mechanic is confident he can do the same work for probably much less (depending on the dealer's estimate, of course).[snip]

This is fine as a negotiating position, but as has been pointed out, you have virtually no leverage in this. Hopefully you won't have to draw that line in the sand, but if Kioti insists they need to examine the actual parts before they can confirm that they will cover the entire cost of an out-of-warranty, I'm not seeing how you'd be farther ahead just saying "No, I'll take it to my own guy and pay for everything myself, thank you." :confused3:

 

[CenTex Chris]

The only way I'm ahead with my own guy is that I've known him for twelve years, he's much closer, less expensive, genuinely interested in doing the work and doesn't mind me being there asking questions and taking pictures. Actually that's not "ahead" at all, but I'm more comfortable that way.

Talked to the service manager at the dealership today about my questions from post #135. He said an hour or two of disassembly in order to get his own pics to appease his Kioti rep, who should be able to make a determination from there. At $55/hr. I can afford that, so it'll go in Monday morning. Then if Kioti says no, I'll pay the shop for their time and to put it back on the trailer.

Seems like this tractor has covered more miles up on the trailer recently than it ever did when it was running.

 

[Fawken]

There was a similar thread that I read on this forum from 2008. The Kioti failed a few months out of warranty due to the intake gasket being improperly installed at the factory. Kioti sent a new motor, but the poster had to pay the labor which he said was $1000. I would think a $1000 for a new motor would be acceptable.

 

[Coyote machine]

There was a similar thread that I read on this forum from 2008. The Kioti failed a few months out of warranty due to the intake gasket being improperly installed at the factory. Kioti sent a new motor, but the poster had to pay the labor which he said was $1000. I would think a $1000 for a new motor would be acceptable.

I seem to remember that situation. $1K is reasonable for a brand new motor for sure. It would be for Chris too, IF Kioti were to offer one for that price. Somehow I doubt they will pony up for it. But, for Chris' benefit, I hope they do 'give' him another engine; it certainly would be the easiest solution.

 

[Coyote machine]

The only way I'm ahead with my own guy is that I've known him for twelve years, he's much closer, less expensive, genuinely interested in doing the work and doesn't mind me being there asking questions and taking pictures. Actually that's not "ahead" at all, but I'm more comfortable that way.

Talked to the service manager at the dealership today about my questions from post #135. He said an hour or two of disassembly in order to get his own pics to appease his Kioti rep, who should be able to make a determination from there. At $55/hr. I can afford that, so it'll go in Monday morning. Then if Kioti says no, I'll pay the shop for their time and to put it back on the trailer.

Seems like this tractor has covered more miles up on the trailer recently than it ever did when it was running.

Some things about your guy confuse me. He told you $8,000 for replacing? Rebuilding your engine? Then he put the contaminated oil back in the motor...
Personally, I would not have done anything with the oil but saved in in a clean container. I would not have allowed that motor to be restarted for any reason, whether you were going to rebuild it or not.
Your guy, is a Kioti tech? I'd only use him as a last resort. Your dealer has all the resources of Kioti service manuals and any special Kioti tools, and trained technicians, etc.
I'd be hesitant to use a shade tree mechanic for whatever the job ends up entailing. JMHO.

 

[swines]

Some things about your guy confuse me. He told you $8,000 for replacing? Rebuilding your engine? Then he put the contaminated oil back in the motor...
Personally, I would not have done anything with the oil but saved in in a clean container. I would not have allowed that motor to be restarted for any reason, whether you were going to rebuild it or not.
Your guy, is a Kioti tech? I'd only use him as a last resort. Your dealer has all the resources of Kioti service manuals and any special Kioti tools, and trained technicians, etc.
I'd be hesitant to use a shade tree mechanic for whatever the job ends up entailing. JMHO.

You need to re-read post #153. The $8,000 number is AN EXAMPLE ONLY - not a dollar amount quoted. You've jumped to a whole bunch of conclusions based on not reading the posts carefully.

Also - it doesn't matter what you would have done. That's called "Monday morning quarterbacking" and is of absolutely NO help in anyway. The OP needs help dealing with the situation as it currently exists - not projections, suppositions and what other people would have done - postulated after-the-fact.