Hydraulic lock

[mtaviator]

Howdy,

My neighbor's exhaust flapper fell off on his diesel Case tractor. Apparently it filled up with water from a storm and is now hydraulic locked.

What's the best way to get the water out? Obviously, pulling the fuel rail and spinning it would do it but that sounds like a pia to me. I was thinking that there may well be a better way.

Ideas?

Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

Seems removing the drain plug in the oil pan and waiting...the water will leak past the rings. And then....maybe not. But I'd try that first.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day there is only one way to be sure and that is to pull the injectors and spin it over hopefully it has not bent a rod as you cranked it ( have seen it done on the rare occasion) . Good luck with it


Jon

 

[kennyd]

G'day there is only one way to be sure and that is to pull the injectors and spin it over hopefully it has not bent a rod as you cranked it ( have seen it done on the rare occasion) . Good luck with it


Jon

Agree 100%. You/he needs to pull the injectors and glow plugs if it has them. May be a PITA but easier than rebuilding a entire engine.

 

[mtaviator]

Thanks Y'all.

Would just pulling the glow plugs do it? Seems like it would relieve the pressure.

 

[kennyd]

Thanks Y'all.

Would just pulling the glow plugs do it? Seems like it would relieve the pressure.

Yes. :thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

Boy, that's really a drag and I hope there's no bend rods or other damage.

Since banjodunn and kennyd gave you the method to remove the water, and beenthere has suggested draining the oil, my only suggestion is to consider a way to prevent it from happening again. I'm sure he noticed the flapper gone and probably thought "I'll fix that..."...then that unexpected rain (must have been a pretty good downpour!).
One way...the Deere 790's stack was formed so the outlet was 90° from the stack. There was also some kind of baffle that prevented water from accumulating in the stack (can't help you with the design...one of those things you know is there, but you never put any thought to how it works). Never needed a flapper and did set outside during some helacious rainstorms.
You might think about modifying the stack so it has a bend at the end. Rain is most often falling vertically unless there's really high winds. The little water that might get it would mostly like be blown out by the first crank.

Good luck!!!!

 

[brokenot]

After you remove the injectors or glow plugs, turn it over by hand.

A little at a time.

Remove the key/battery cable/whatever to eliminate any temptation to speed up the water-expulsion process. It's also a very good idea to not have any "helpers" around "helping" during stuff like this.

 

[wrenchturner]

I certainly hope he did not bend a rod. I have removed a couple of bent rods due to hydraulic lock. Considering the leverage with the starter motor to the flywheel then the leverage of the crank to the rod as it approaches top dead center, it is easier to bend a connecting rod than is first apparent.

I would remove the glow plugs and crank over by hand after replacing the oil because some has water has leaked by. Any water will be on the bottom of the pan and be picked up the the oil pump. After cranking over by hand, I would pour some oil into the glow plugs then spin the starter over for a couple of minutes. Then put the glow plugs back in and start the engine with a piece of wood to place over the air intake if the engine started to run away with any oil left in the cylinder.

 

[Transit]

In a pinch a soup or juice can over the stack will do.