Low hour diesel engine failure.

Gale Hawkins · Jul 4, 2012

JD can make it right and will if you can find the right person unless there is black and white proof you did something wrong. Stay with them on this matter. The fact service managers have changed is good for your case.

cowski · Jul 4, 2012

i bet you got water in the engine .not from the fuel but from the intake or exhaust.i am not familiar where that tractor is from.if it was shipped on a ship maybe water got in it before you got it. pitted valves and stuck rings happens when moisture gets in.

joshuabardwell · Jul 4, 2012

ORCM said:
He basically said that he wanted to get it fixed and running before we talked any type of money for repair.

How does that work? I'm going to fix it, and I'll tell you later how much it is going to cost you? If he wants to fix it for free, that's his prerogative, but it seems to me like he at least needs to provide you with a quote for the work he's going to perform before he starts working.

Alien · Jul 4, 2012

As a retired mechanic, Without knowing any facts, it sounds like oil has never been changed, or wrong oil, or, the motor has done a darn sight more than 330 hours. Whatever the reason I am interested in the outcome. Maybe the ring gap was not set correctly at the factory? Remember, oil assists cooling of the motor by preventing friction and taking heat away particularly from the valve stems and pistons. If they get sticky they burn out.

Bigfoot62 · Jul 4, 2012

You definitely need to talk to a Deere regional service rep. Bring him up to speed on all the details, (how long it's been in the shop, fuel analysis, etc) and ask him to help. I'll bet that you get some action.

megaboz · Jul 4, 2012

I think the theory with the cracked head (or head gasket) allowing exhaust gas into the intake sounds more plausible.

The mechanics typically at the shops aren't always the most experienced. But it seems like the burden of proving neglect is on the dealer. So they should have done oil/fuel analysis to back up their claims that it was user caused.

For the expense of repairing, it might be worth getting a lawyer involved or arbitrator as needed.

Gale Hawkins · Jul 4, 2012

The fact they have had your tractor three months means they are clueless to what happened and it is not fixed moves this to be 100% a problem owned by JD. You will not need a lawyer I expect but you must put down roots until this is resolved.
There is someone with the ability to say FIX IT and you will have your tractor back.

ORCM · Jul 4, 2012

Yeah, what is funny is the service manager (Not there anymore.) was kind of fighting me with the testing. He was telling me that testing was my responsibility, and I needed to find the place to do it. However, the mechanics said they thought that samples were taken and sent off for analysis.

I want to hear the results of the Head inspection, and then I'm going to ask to talk to Deere.

The other thing that pisses me off is they sold the loaner I had, and I'm tractorless.

Also forgot to mention, the dealer is selling out to industrial Deere dealer. Deal Shouldn't be completed by Sept. Hopefully I have my tractor back by then.

ORCM · Jul 4, 2012

Alien said:
As a retired mechanic, Without knowing any facts, it sounds like oil has never been changed, or wrong oil, or, the motor has done a darn sight more than 330 hours. Whatever the reason I am interested in the outcome. Maybe the ring gap was not set correctly at the factory? Remember, oil assists cooling of the motor by preventing friction and taking heat away particularly from the valve stems and pistons. If they get sticky they burn out.

I change the oil myself, every fall. So it has less than the required change at 100hrs.

Look in my prior post, it shows the brand of oil I use. Certified diesel engine oil, 10W-30.

ORCM · Jul 5, 2012

What do you think of this scenario. The head was the original problem, that caused it not to start/stay running. The dealer played a lot with the fuel system i.e. Injectors, pump, and timing. While they were doing this, they keep cranking the engine. I know that it was very black, sooty smoke that came out when I had it. With all that cranking, I wonder if they sooted the cylinders. Thoughts?