Cat Rollover

DirtyWorks · Apr 19, 2007

Hi guys. registered a few days ago and been reading and learning alot for the past two months. Wish I had abetter 1st post but - here goes- Was obviously not being a "good" operator today and laid my Cat 257 over on her side. NOBODY HURT! well i hope nobody, I tried 1st to kill machine but it would not turn off. it choked itself to a smoky halt after about 15 long seconds. I ran to the dozer ( a jd 450c) and straightened her up after she had been on side for about 12-15 minutes. I waited about three hours and toped off the oil(about 1/2 gallon) and tried to start. She just tried to turn but the engine never turned kinda like something stuck. What should I do? Never had this happen in my life and need help so i can go finish job tomorrow hopefully!

thcri · Apr 19, 2007

First welcome to TBN. Second glad you are ok. But not sure, were you running to dozer when you tipped it over? I guess I don't understand what you meant that you ran to the dozer after it was laying on it's side for 15 minutes?? How did you get it back up?

If oil in the cylinders you will have to get that out first??

murph

DirtyWorks · Apr 19, 2007

Sorry bout the confusion. I climbed out and ran to my 450 JD and put a chain on the arm and backed up. she came right back to her feet! Hopfully nothin hurt but my pride!

How do i get the oil out? let it sit a few days or is there a trick? thx

guss · Apr 19, 2007

pull injectors out and spin it over will let the oil out of cylinders.

thcri · Apr 20, 2007

guss said:
pull injectors out and spin it over will let the oil out of cylinders.

That would be my recomendation. You may have to purge the injectors when re-starting also.

George2615 · Apr 20, 2007

I agree. Sounds like you had some oil leak by the rings and got on top of the cylinders creating hydro lock. Pull the injectors and crank it over to force the oil out. Or if each cylinder has a glow plug you could pull them. Once the oil is out reassemble and start it up. It will probably smoke for a while till the oil residue burns off.

MikeD74T · Apr 20, 2007

If you have a way to crank the engine backwards the oil should go out thru the valves. I've used a small bar carefully on the ring gear or a wrench on the front of the crankshaft if there's a nut availible. Used to be common to roll dragsters backwards years ago to make sure the cylinders were clear of liquid. It's still done when hand propping planes, another lost art.
Don't want to project bad news but it's possible to bend a rod with the starter if liquid is in a cylinder. Good luck,MikeD74T

DirtyWorks · Apr 20, 2007

Hey Guys, An update, I pulled the glow plugs, and took the fuel rail off to pull the injectors but they would not come free easily. I then spun the engine over and oil shot out the glow plug holes. I replaced all the stuff I took off and it started right up!(a LOT of smoke) but overall no problems! Thank you to all for there knowledge and understanding!

Just one small problem now, I think I have an air leak cause when I shut her down for more than 10 minutes, it is taking a long time to start, like there is air in the lines, I guess I should retighten everthing before I worry though!