Core Plug Blown Out

[frank_f15]

Thanks all for the brilliant advice. If I can't figure out what to do now then call me a monkey's uncle and I'll go climb some trees and leave the tractor to my pet hamster to deal with This is tops I'm looking forward to the next tractor meltdown so I can post again and be well impressed by the tractor aficiandos community. Cheers again

Don't forget to post back on how you decide to fix the problem and how it worked.

 

[BigJimSlade]

Hi all,

Thanks for the help and Frank thanks for inspiring me to write a final answer on how it was fixed.

It was a simple fix really.

- I drained any remaining oil out of the engine.

- Cleaned the plug and the hole it came out of with acetone.

- I then used Loctite 609 Retaining Compound. Retaining compound is used when press or slip fitting cylindrical components that are not threaded.

- It was a fairly tight fit so I had to knock it in with a hammer. I also used a large nail punch with a big fat head and tapped it around the join between the aluminum core and the block which sort of welded the core plug into the place. This was my idea (a bit like peening I guess) and maybe unnecessary because the loctite retaining compound should be well strong enough to hold the plug in place hopefully for the rest of the tractors working life.

- I let the loctite cure for over 12hrs then I completed the oil change (new filter etc) and started it up. I haven't yet worked the tractor (its been raining) but I did drive it around. No oil leaking and apparent movement of the plug. Only time will tell how well it works.

- Although I should have, I didn't test the oil pressure in the engine because the oil pressure guage that I bought didnt have the right size fitting to go into where the oil pressure switch is located. Bummer another trip to town and hunt for the right fitting to connect the guage to the tractor.

Cheers to all

 

[BTDT]

I'm guessing it was a good thing you were still near/in the garage when this happened. Glad you have figured out problem and fix for it. Had you been out working it in the dark when this happened you might have ruined your engine.