Branson 4220 head gasket failure

[defranks]

The head gasket has failed on my Branson 4220. There are just 650 hours on the tractor, so I'm a little disappointed, but now I must deal with it. I noticed that the tractor was running hotter than normal, but it never overheated. Then I noticed that there was white smoke from the exhaust even after the tractor had warmed up. I was set to check to see if there was exhaust gas in the coolant, but the engine hydro-locked this morning. I pulled the glow plugs and was able to turn over the engine and it blew quite a lot of coolant from the #3 cylinder. #3 shows 400 psi of compression, the other three show 500 psi, so I don't think I bent any valves.

I'm getting ready to pull the head, but before I do I'd like to briefly start the engine just to lift the FEL out of my way. I think I can get to everything to pull the head with the FEL down, but it will be easier if it's up.

I'd appreciate any advice on whether it's safe to start the engine with no coolant just long enough to lift the FEL. I think it will be fine, and I doubt the head will even get warm to the touch in the minute or two it will take, but still, there's plenty I don't know.

Thanks!

I decided not to start the engine. Removed the hood and the radiator and I think I can easily reach everything I need to reach.

 

[defranks]

One more thing.... I understand that the engine is a Cummins 2300 clone. I'm about to order a set of gaskets from China through eBay, and wonder if anyone has any experience with the Chinese head gaskets, etc. My guess is that those are the same gaskets that were put into the engine originally in Korea.

 

[TractorTYMe]

These are Kukje licensed made Cummins A2300N2/N4 series. Gasket kits from China should be fine, most of them are Kukje Machinery labeled kits from what I have seen.

 

[ericm979]

If you can get something to hoist or jack up the loader you can tie the loader joystick in the up position so it can be raised. Don't forget the cylinder stops when working under a raised loader.

 

[defranks]

The Chinese eBay gasket kit was fine, and the seller sent them FedEx, so they were in my hands before the head was back from the machine shop. They worked fine. I replaced the water pump with an A2300 pump and the two sensors didn't fit. So back to the original pump and I'll look around for compatible sensors (water temp for the gage and the glow-plug controller.) The head was slightly warped, the valves were fine and everything seems to be fine again. And I was able to do the work with the loader down. It might have been a little easier with the loader up, but it really didn't make a lot of difference.

 

[Zork]

The head gasket has failed on my Branson 4220. There are just 650 hours on the tractor, so I'm a little disappointed, but now I must deal with it. I noticed that the tractor was running hotter than normal, but it never overheated. Then I noticed that there was white smoke from the exhaust even after the tractor had warmed up. I was set to check to see if there was exhaust gas in the coolant, but the engine hydro-locked this morning. I pulled the glow plugs and was able to turn over the engine and it blew quite a lot of coolant from the #3 cylinder. #3 shows 400 psi of compression, the other three show 500 psi, so I don't think I bent any valves.

I'm getting ready to pull the head, but before I do I'd like to briefly start the engine just to lift the FEL out of my way. I think I can get to everything to pull the head with the FEL down, but it will be easier if it's up.

I'd appreciate any advice on whether it's safe to start the engine with no coolant just long enough to lift the FEL. I think it will be fine, and I doubt the head will even get warm to the touch in the minute or two it will take, but still, there's plenty I don't know.

Thanks!

I decided not to start the engine. Removed the hood and the radiator and I think I can easily reach everything I need to reach.

From my research, my 2004 3520 does not have stretch head bolts so I ensured my head was torqued to spec. If there is no coolant in the engine ***THIS INCLUDES THE CYLINDERS*** it should not hurt the engine “further” if you run it shortly to lift the loader.

 

[Zork]

Many of my colleagues have insisted that gaskets do not need sealant, but I have used “Copper Coat” sealant spray with 100% success and I would continue to use it if I ever recover from my current health issues.

 

[rScotty]

From my research, my 2004 3520 does not have stretch head bolts so I ensured my head was torqued to spec. If there is no coolant in the engine ***THIS INCLUDES THE CYLINDERS*** it should not hurt the engine “further” if you run it shortly to lift the loader.

Stretch Head Bolts? What in the world are stretch head bolts??

 

[dfkrug]

Stretch Head Bolts? What in the world are stretch head bolts??

Probably "torque-to-yield" head bolts, which can not be reused.

To get loader out of the way, my first choice is to remove it, which is QA on most CUTs. Second choice is to run the starter with the FEL joystick activated. Only takes 10-20 seconds of cranking.

 

[rScotty]

Probably "torque-to-yield" head bolts, which can not be reused.

To get loader out of the way, my first choice is to remove it, which is QA on most CUTs. Second choice is to run the starter with the FEL joystick activated. Only takes 10-20 seconds of cranking.

This would be a good time to replace any "torque-to-yield" bolts with a better quality head bolt.

Right, hold the FEL joystick on, and just run the starter without starting the engine. Be sure to put some safety struts around the lift cylinders if the tractor did not come with them. If working beneath the arms, put in safety struts for sure. Most tractors have them built in these days.