Diesel Shutdown - Overfull Crankcase

[Patrioteq]

I bought a used 7274 Cub Cadet a few months ago. It has been running OK since I got it. A few weeks ago though I was moving mulch and on a slight down incline when I felt the power disengage (as if I stepped on the clutch) and motor revved a bit. I immediately stepped on the clutch, and throttled down, but the rev continued. I turned the key off immediately and it continued to run but only for about 4-5 seconds. First thing was to check the engine oil and when I pulled the dipstick I got a stream of thin oil spurting out the tube hole. VERY Not good. At first I thought of a runaway but it only ran a few seconds.

Coolant level was normal. It's possibly diesel fuel getting past the piston rings but that is ALOT of diesel. The previous owner said he had just replaced the clutch. As it is a wet clutch, is it possible he messed something up and hydraulic transmission fluid was getting in?

I pulled the radiator and battery and put a socket on the crankshaft bolt and turned the motor just to be sure it's not siezed. It turned fine so I think I'm OK there. After replacing the fluid to correct level however, I could not get it to turn over with the starter. But I think I have other elect problems as the electric has been screwy since I got it.

I really need help on possibilities of why there was that much fluid in the engine. Rebuild situation or is there something else to try first?

Joe

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Sounds like maybe your injector pump has a leaking seal which is dumping fuel into the crankcase. Did the oil smell like diesel? If you can turn it over by hand then the cylinder(s) aren't hydro locked, sounds like starting is an electrical problem.

M.D.

 

[Reg]

Leaking injector for (almost) sure.
There are a LOT of reports in the various diesel truck forums about engines "gaining oil" and losing power, though nothing I remember as drastic as your story.
As I remember it from about 2001 to 2004 were the "problem years" for Ford and GM injectors - without trying to re-start the Ford/Chevvy wars; GM seemed to experience it first and fix it first. Not clear that Ford ever really fixed the 6.0 diesel's OTHER problems, but that is a whole 'nother story.

Ain't gonna be a cheap fix )-:

 

[Patrioteq]

Double consensus or the injector pump. I know gas engines but not too familiar with the diesel. Is this a replaceable assembly or are we talking taking the engine apart (a rebuild)? What's the likelihood of other piston/cylinder damage from this problem? It did smoke at high speed prior to the incident.

Thank you for your help and advice guys.

 

[Patrioteq]

I meant "consensus ON the pump". SSheesh, I can't type anymore.

 

[Soundguy]

I've seen shaft seals in inj pumps dump fuel into the engine.. etc..

soundguy

 

[workinallthetime]

I duno the fuel system config on that engine, 2 things I have seen on gm diesel's are
#1 if the fuel return lines are internal ( inside the valve cover) then a return line can leak and fill the crank case
#2 would have alot of white smoke and running bad but if an injector was leaking into the cylinder this could cause it

not saying you dont have a front pump seal leaking just 2 things i have seen, as for dificulty of repair, should not be to hard to slap a new pump on or even have it rebuilt, $$$$ factor is pretty high when you are talking pump work.

 

[generator777]

I have to agree with mightydodge and workinallthetime Joe. Sounds like your inj. pump has a leaking seal. Did the oil smell like diesel? This is probably just an assembly from my experience. Shouldn't have to rebuild anything. My uncle Newman referred me to a website called Diesel Generators when I was having an issue with my engine about 6 months ago and they were really helpful over there. They definitely know their stuff and saved me money on the parts. You may want to give it a shot.

 

[RalphVa]

My neighbor's 4310 had a leaking fuel injector. His engine was smoking badly. Don't know whether he had diesel in his oil or oil in his diesel.

Dealer came and got it. Fixed it.

Ralph

 

[Patrioteq]

I did not think at the time to whiff the drained oil so not really sure of the smell. However, the coolant and hyd fluid had no appreciable level change so diesel is the likely culprit. I just downloaded the manual and the pump looks easy to remove. I will check out all of your suggestions though before sending it out. (Look in valve cover, check the injectors, and contact the diesel gen site). I'm very glad to have all these suggestions from the folk on this site.

Very weirdly I have a simultaneous starting (electrical) problem I must chase first. After this incident, I refilled the sump and tried to start - dead (why I thought it might have siezed). Once I troubleshoot and fix that, I may re-engage y'all again on the oil issue.

BTW, is there a reason the starter will not come off? I removed the electericals and the 2 mounting bolts and it's still tight. If they buried a bolt behind it, I will be very miffed. (and the manual is no help).

Thanks again, Joe