If you are thinking about buying a gray market tractor

[HGM]

I bought a YM1700 about 1 1/2yrs ago. It overheated the first time I used it. It was more than likely the wrong coolant mixture... I took it back to the dealer and he wanted to have it checked out for me.. I wanted a tractor, so I negotiated an upgrade to the YM2000 I have now.. I got it home and noticed several leaks as well as minor issues.. My dealer was willing to work with me, but I had issues with the quality of work I was getting in return. He is the middle man using a popular, high volume, grey market importer. My tractor even went back to the importer for repairs. When I got it back, I still have a bad leak from the axle seal.. Being mechanicaly inclned and liking this tractor, decided to let it slide and I would fix it. In hind sight, I would have returned this tractor as well and bought from one of the guys here as they have proven themselves to be reliable have no one speaking badly of them...

My point, if its still an option, dont work on this tractor or spend anymore money on it. Heve the dealer step up to the plate and replace it with what you expected to get in the begining.. It will suck to be without a tractor for a time, but well worth it in the long run. If they cannot make good, ask for your money back.. Just my take on it. I have been there in a way and though my tractor is still running well and dependible, I still have a leak they would not repair in the begining..

Yours sounds like low compression, but if I understand you correctly, it sounds like you dont have any blowby out of the crankcase.. Could just be a valve, but that would make it run rougher than normal.. Dont think you ordered it that way, did you .. Good luck, didnt want to come across as a rectal intulectual, but I have a bit of hindsight...

 

[normde2001]

"Calculated the compression for this altitude and...

At 1000 ft should be between 639psi and 568psi, 426 is considered as low as it should go. It says anything below 426 will be hard to start and is in need of overhaul.

If I did the math right at 8500 ft should be between 485 and 431 (3.6% per 1000 feet)

So the low end of the expected compression at this altitude is very close to what is hard starting at 1000 ft.

So I'm thinking that I either have a valve (leaking or out of adjustment) or a ring problem and at this altitude it doesn't have to be very bad to cause hard starting."

Where are you getting those numbers from? My YM2000B shows a compression ratio of 23:1 and I would only expect to see compression in the 300-400psi range at sea level.

 

[Mech]

Numbers are out of my service manual for a YM226. It is at home but I think it shows a compression ratio of 22 or 23:1. I can scan the page and post it tomorrow. You are correct -- Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi at sea level so 23:1 is 338.1. Don't know if I got the units incorrect? Thought I read psi.

 

[Mech]

Well I got the injector puller and compression tester on Thursday and its not good news. While waiting for the compression tester I replaced the fuel filter and all the fuel hoses and while testing compression I checked and adjusted the valves. I'm seeing 300 to 340 psi across the three cylinders and it takes a number of seconds to pump up that far and I did it with the other two injectors out so it was really spinning. My book says that anything under 426 psi will be hard to start. I put oil in the #3 cylinder and the compression went to 460psi, so it looks like it needs rings, at least, maybe bearings, maybe a valve job and maybe cylinders bored.

 

[mark777]

Geeze Mech,

The only possible good news now will be how your dealer goes to bat for you. I'm hoping for your sake that they are aware of what's been happening since you've taken delivery...and what, or if they are willing to do about it.

Mark

 

[Mech]

They know but haven't responded to my emails for the last week or two. I plan to call on Monday. Problem is at this point I don't really want another tractor because that could have a lot of different problems. I certainly wouldn't pay to have it shipped back because if they did any work on this tractor I don't want them to be doing any more. Two of the injects were absolutely carboned in so I can't see how the compression was checked on those two cylinders. It would be nice if they would have someone local get the tractor and put in new rings or give me some money for my labor and parts and I will do it.

Of course if I can't get them to do anything, and I'm a long way from giving up, I will end up doing it myself anyway. I think I can get the rings, bearings, and gaskets for a little over $200, not sure what it will cost to have the valves ground. Not too bad if the cylinder walls are OK and I don't have to replace the main bearings.

Then I keep wondering what shape the transmission is in since the range selector stops in lots of places other than the correct detents.

 

[mark777]

Mech,

I don't understand why you haven't disclosed the name of this dealer?

Even though you are mechanically gifted enough to address all of the problems with this particular tractor the percentages are very high that the next unsuspecting buyer wont be so lucky.

If you're defending them because you feel a little guilty for the only two reasons I can see (giving them all of your money without checking them out AND not refusing the initial delivery) then so what....water under the bridge. All of us have made the same mistake at least one time in our lives.

Perhaps the ONLY positive spin on this whole ordeal is that you're in the position to warn others of what not to do....and with 'Whom' not to do it with.

Mark

 

[Mech]

Mark,

I have struggled with disclosing the name and have several reasons why I haven't.

1) I'm still trying to get them to make it right. They aren't answering my
emails but I will try to call them on Monday. I have very little leverage and
if I disclose their name I have none.

2) I really don't want to get into a screaming match on this forum and
suspect that is were it will go. I also get no joy from hurting anyone or
their business no matter how much they have hurt me.

3) If people want to buy a tractor, I now know that you buy from one of the
people that posts all the time on this forum.

In the mean time if someone is buying a tractor and wants to know that it isn't who I am dealing with they can always send me a private message.

 

[normde2001]

Well I got the injector puller and compression tester on Thursday and its not good news. While waiting for the compression tester I replaced the fuel filter and all the fuel hoses and while testing compression I checked and adjusted the valves. I'm seeing 300 to 340 psi across the three cylinders and it takes a number of seconds to pump up that far and I did it with the other two injectors out so it was really spinning. My book says that anything under 426 psi will be hard to start. I put oil in the #3 cylinder and the compression went to 460psi, so it looks like it needs rings, at least, maybe bearings, maybe a valve job and maybe cylinders bored.

I am highly suspicious of those compression specs. Every article that I can find on diesel compression shows a range of 300 to 450psi, (except for 1 that is an obvious misprint, showing 3000 to 4500psi), and that is assuming 14.7psi atmospheric pressure at sea level. As Tom said, your atmospheric pressure is only 10.67psi. I cannot find a stated compression in my YM240 factory manual, only 23:1 compression. Also, according to the articles a diesel engine relies on oil in the cylinder to attain proper compression, a flooding engine will wash down the cylinders and have low compression. Anyone else have a factory manual with stated compression?

 

[Mech]

I really hope you are right about the compression. I base this on my service manual for a YM226, YM226D, YM220, and YM220D and under system tests and diagnosis (section 220-10-5) for compression pressure specification it says 568 to 639 psi specified pressure, 426 psi lower limit. A note says pressure given was taken at 1000 ft above sea level. A 3.6% reduction in gauge pressure will result for each additional 1000 ft of altitude. It goes on to say that an engine with compression pressures of 426psi or less will be hard to start and is in need of overhaul.