Engine question?

[crazyal]

Do you have a radiator repair shop close by? I have one near me so what I would do is bring it to them. Often they can recore them for pretty cheap and then you know there's not going to be an issue. Even if they don't think a recore is required they should have a tank they can soak it in and make all the dirt and oil disappear. No point fixing the engine and finding out that the inside is restricted causing another blown head gasket.

 

[tarheel96]

Repair shops have testers and so does NAPA stores, O'Reily's, etc. Alternately, you can just buy a new cap. Just make sure it's the right pressure rating.
It looks like you found the cause however. Clogged air side of the radiator. What's the coolant side look like. If the PO used hard water, they can lime up an clog. Clogged air filter is also a culprit.
Probably never needed to come apart!

Thanks for the help on the cap Jerry. It is nice to know how to check them now. Yea I think the radiator and air filter was really putting a massive strain on that poor little tractor! You might be right on the motor not needing to come a part!
Here is some pics of the coolant side. It needs to be flushed and cleaned.

 

[tarheel96]

Fancy coolant overflow bottle you have there!

In my experience with broken / damaged tractors and motorcycles, a person is usually money ahead to buy a working machine. Even when I buy something that seems great, there is usually something wrong with it that requires attention. When I buy something I know is broken, there is usually a LOT wrong with it that I didn't foresee.

I wish you luck in your endeavor. Please document the process. I hope you will prove my bias is incorrect.

The coolant overflow bottle is very OEM! I am with you on every level when it comes to buying used machines.. This was a great price and I was willing to do some gambling on this one...but you never know what you are going to find when working on a used machine! Thanks for the well wishes. I will try and keep this thread going with how things work out.

 

[tarheel96]

WOW- Can't believe the PO didn't clean or replace the rad before ripping into the engine...

That rad looks badly plugged and almost like Mud in between some of the cooling fins. Can't see how it could do a decent job of cooling the engine.

( If- it were mine) I would check the head and block for straight, check the oil that is in the oil pan and if not milky do as was posted above with the cylinder bores to make sure no crap is lodged above the piston rings .

If- the head/ block passes the straight test,
Take the head and fill the intake exhaust ports with a bit of diesel and wait about 2 minutes -if diesel is not drooling out between valve and head seats... buy a head gasket reassemble the engine. (after cleaning the head /block surfaces) Making sure to follow torque down sequence and torque specs.

clean as best you can the radiator flush some water thru it and re install, use new oil and filter and see if she will run.

If- It will run without billowing smoke , excessive Knocking , and no bubbles running thru the coolant/water in the radiator either have a rad shop go thru it or if not to pricey replace it and the thermostat.

This is just how I would approach it , but am CHEAP by nature, this way you are only out the price of a head gasket oil and filter and some RTV sealant and will know pretty quick whether the engine is basically sound or not. If the engine oil in the pan is Milky, I would not reassemble the engine as is.

Thanks for you help sd. I hope to getting to the oil here soon. When I do I will let you guys know how it looks. Your approach is very similar to mine too!

 

[tarheel96]

Flush out your oil passages with diesel fuel, uses clean water in the coolant passages and call it done. Change the oil filter after about 10 hr x2 and run it.

This is on the list! Thanks

 

[tarheel96]

Do you have a radiator repair shop close by? I have one near me so what I would do is bring it to them. Often they can recore them for pretty cheap and then you know there's not going to be an issue. Even if they don't think a recore is required they should have a tank they can soak it in and make all the dirt and oil disappear. No point fixing the engine and finding out that the inside is restricted causing another blown head gasket.

That is good to know crazyal. When I get some time at lunch this week I will make some calls and see what I can track down. Thanks

 

[JRobyn]

With the list of stuff you already have on your to-do, that little tractor will be happy as a clam. You can honestly probably skip a bunch of this - your cooling problem will be VASTLY improved just by hosing out that radiator (not too high of pressure). Just let your wallet be your guide. Stuff is way easier to have done when it's apart already, and re-disassembling is a pain. Doing everything on the list so far, except head milling and radiator re-core/replace should be reasonably low cost. Since it did likely overheat a LOT, checking for warpage and liner seating is justified. Two-cylinder heads DO warp if abused enough - even single cylinder sez some of my old motorcycles and lawn mowers.

I do love the coolant overflow can. I bet it did great at siphoning ejected coolant back in after its overheating adventures.

 

[bspeedy]

The coolant overflow bottle is very OEM! I am with you on every level when it comes to buying used machines.. This was a great price and I was willing to do some gambling on this one...but you never know what you are going to find when working on a used machine! Thanks for the well wishes. I will try and keep this thread going with how things work out.

If the price is right, it is worth it. I buy everything used - just not QUITE as used as your Yanmar. :thumbsup:

What can't be accounted for in a project like this is the learning involved. As long as you have the time and don't get stressed out, you will gain knowledge that will last forever. That is priceless.

 

[tarheel96]

Here is one more pic of the radiator...I think you can see the amount of junk in the fins better in the sunlight . The pics dont do it justice..this thing is packed tight as a tick!

 

[tarheel96]

If the price is right, it is worth it. I buy everything used - just not QUITE as used as your Yanmar. :thumbsup:

What can't be accounted for in a project like this is the learning involved. As long as you have the time and don't get stressed out, you will gain knowledge that will last forever. That is priceless.

I am in no hurry to get this done..this is a project for me so low stress is the key! Knowledge is one of the best tools!