I'm the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

Wichita_Dennis · Oct 31, 2004

I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

Greetings to all:
Mark was kind enough to find see my post in another on-line Yanmar discussion group and to send me here. It looks like there is far more activity here, thank goodness.

I am the one who bought the FX24D with "warrantee" which failed in less than an hour. I thought I'd clear up a couple of issues.

I was just ripped off, I'm not stupid - maybe not careful enough or too trusting, but I thought I was buying a good solid tractor from a reputable dealer.

The tractor showed less than 100 hours and was not reconditioned. It looked like a 1 year old garaged unit from top to bottom with glossy original paint and no tool marks anywhere on the engine, undercarrige or body bolts. I paid a premium to get one in such mint original condition ($10,500 with loader & tiller, delivered).

I drove it off the trailer when it arrived, around the yard and then parked it until I was ready to use it. I first had to do some heavier work with a dozer and excavator before using the Yanmar with loader for the finish work.

32 days had passed before I fired it up for the finish work only to find that within an hour it started dumping smoke out the crankcase vent tube so bad you can't see the tractor when it's running.

The warrantee was for 30 days.

I called the seller and he only gave me names of other Yanmar dealer who "would be glad to help me". I asked for direct help from him or his supplier and he said that "was the best he could do" and was "going into the hospital the next day for some major surgery" and "good luck " to me.

At the time I had no idea it would be such a struggle to find parts or a pro mechanic to rebuild the engine. As each month passes I realize I'm in deeper trouble than I thought I was the month before.

I may choose to buy the used 900 hour engine but to get it swapped where I live is WAY too expensive. I've been quoted no less than $3,000 just to swap the new for the old engine. I've worked on and rebuilt many trucks, farm machines, motorcycles, mowers and so on but two different Yanmar dealers claim that this is a job that only should be attempted by a person with lots of Yanmar experience.

I was hopeful I'd locate a Yanmar dealer with trained mechanics and access to oversize engine parts. I could strap the tractor (minus loader and wheels) and ship it to get the rebuild job done correctly. I don't know how long the typical Yanmar engine lasts but starting with a used engine with 900 hours seems to be risky even if it runs perfectly today.

Anyone know of a pro shop that can and will do the job? If not, I'll try the engine swap.

Thanks to all!

Dennis
Wichita KS

Tractors4u · Oct 31, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

( two different Yanmar dealers claim that this is a job that only should be attempted by a person with lots of Yanmar experience.
)

If you are talkinga about an engine swap between two identical engines, I don't see what would be so difficult that it would need someone with "lots of Yanmar experience".

( I don't know how long the typical Yanmar engine lasts but starting with a used engine with 900 hours seems to be risky even if it runs perfectly today. )

With proper care you should be able to get 4000 to 5000 out of one of these engines before it needs an overhaul. I think there is more to that 100 hr engine. Let's say it did have 100hrs and had been taken care of by an attentive Japanese farmer. If that is the case, then this was just a fluke, a 1 in 1000 bad engine. If Ernie has a 900 hour engine, I would trust it.

cfoxmd · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

I guess the question in my mind is where did a used, but not reconditioned tractor with 100 hrs come from? Was it just on the engine (i.e. an engine swap) or was it the whole tractor? My bet is that the tractor has been repainted and that is why the finish is glossy. Some here have said the vietnam rebuilds have a better finish than many new tractors.

Check for painted hoses, painted seals, painted belts and plastic parts. I would imagine that an engine with only 100 hours is practically brand new.

mark777 · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

Dennis,

I am glad to see you made it over here. Not a long time member here myself but I can say this with certainty; The dealer members on this site are mostly long time, well established and honest. There is no room for anyone with lesser credentials as they will be verbally stoned off the board.

I am the one that posted your tractor problem here, as I thought you got the short end of the stick, and wanted members to give feedback about your problems. And it is becoming more common to hear about Yanmar engine failure in the first few hours of operation. Those are usually attributed to rebuilds / reconditioned tractors brought in from other than Japan.

Concerning a complete rebuild, not sure but I think all the parts necessary to do a overhaul on the later models (F & FX) may not be off the shelf items, or NA because they are newer tractors. Parts suppliers and dealers will straighten me out here.

If it were me I would find my self with limited choices and all would include buying Ernies engine. My first choice would be to pull the engine and put it on a pallet........maybe overhaul it in the future and reinstall down the road. No matter what, Ernies engine with 900 or 1900 hours will still be worth $1500.
Then put your tractor to work and make it earn its keep.

I think (know) the prices quoted to you to R & R an engine are more than triple of what a honest mechanic would-should charge. Also, the Yanmar tractors are the premium sought after of all the grey and made for U.S. imports due to their proven reliability.

Good luck and welcome to TBN, Regards Mark

LMTC · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

Ditto on Brent (Tractors4U)--it's not rocket science. Any competent mechanic should be able to handle it. I am not a mechanic, but pay good people who are, and if it's a straight engine for engine swap they say no big deal. A properly treated Yanmar engine should last at least 4-5 thousand hours from what we've seen.

If I were you, I would be posting info on the seller (he does not deserve to be called a "dealer") and his supplier for all to read. You account of what happens comes across as very objective and credible (no offense here, I don't know you...some posters rant so much one gets the impression their version may have some inaccuracies) and if you explained yourself that clearly to the seller he owes you a lot more than the kiss-off it sounds like you got.

Ernie has been around and enjoys a good reputation. I have never met him but I would buy an angine from him if he says it is good solely on his reputation. Good luck.

Wichita_Dennis · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

I'll bet the dealer who sold me this tractor reads this posting. Using the excuse that I didn't report the problem until 2 days past the "guarantee" term may be legal but sure doesn't seem fair. He may be between a rock and a hard spot. He may not, himself, known how to get this engine rebuilt or repaired.

In any case, I plan on asking my attorney about posting his name on the internet for all to see. I see it done all the time but I want to be sure. The last thing I need is to be sued by this guy.

Thank you all for the help. I certainly appreciate it.
Dennis

aardvark · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

The lawyer will probably tell you you can post his name, and the truth is your defense.

gbirky · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

As many of you have probably guessed, I have imported a couple of containers of tractors kind of as a hobby. I'm not a dealer, but I did sell 4 tractors that I bought myself, specifically for resale. One of those was a YM1702D with 157 hours. That was real - the meter still worked, the tractor looked like it had come off a showroom floor. There were still paper/cardboard tags under the hood attached to various hoses etc with string. The tiller did show some use, but was in excellent condition as well. It was clearly not rebuilt, or repainted. I'm sure this is an exception, not the general rule. That tractor was a beauty, and if it had been a powershift tractor, I would have kept it for myself. As it was, It sold before I even got the fenders back on it.

My point is - it is possible that this FX24D truely had only 100 hours on it. It would be a rare find, but still possible.

Link · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

Hi Dennis
I have a 2210D that has treated me very well, 65 hours of hard work and no problems. I live in Topeka and know of a mechanic in Mayetta who does great work and is very reasonable. He works on anything (the last time I was there he was splitting a Belarus). E mail me at linkandpat@prodigy.net if you want details.

Link

mark777 · Nov 1, 2004

Re: I\'m the guy with the FX24D that failed in an hour

That is one of the cleanest looking tractors I've seen coming out of a container.....that is a rare find with the hours so low.
Looks like you might have an F or FX series right behind it?
Can't make it out but certainly a later model Yanmar.

Mark