Tractor submerged.....

[JoeinTX]

Well, ****....

The little 8n got about 80% covered this morning as the bottom fell out of this tropical storm that just passed through our area. We've had some extreme rain before and the water has gotten about 1/3 of the way up the rear tires but never like this. I've never seen that much water personally in my life. Amazing how fast it happened.......2am last night the little creek I live next to was well within its banks.....8am this morning there were dead fish on my rear stoop and somebody's jet ski was (still is) in my yard.

Anyway, as soon as I can I'm going to check/drain the fluids. Thinking of ways water could have gotten in I am worried about the breather, exhaust, and all the dipstick ports. What else do I need to think about or do.

Sorry, this is Texas............I've never had a tractor get submarined before. Ever.

 

[mmurphy]

Sorry to hear that. I would drain out rear end, all 3 plugs as well as engine.
If it got over carb that may need drained out, why you are at it pull plugs to make sure you do not have water in cylinders.

 

[Charolais]

Well, ****....

The little 8n got about 80% covered this morning as the bottom fell out of this tropical storm that just passed through our area. We've had some extreme rain before and the water has gotten about 1/3 of the way up the rear tires but never like this. I've never seen that much water personally in my life. Amazing how fast it happened.......2am last night the little creek I live next to was well within its banks.....8am this morning there were dead fish on my rear stoop and somebody's jet ski was (still is) in my yard.

Anyway, as soon as I can I'm going to check/drain the fluids. Thinking of ways water could have gotten in I am worried about the breather, exhaust, and all the dipstick ports. What else do I need to think about or do.

Sorry, this is Texas............I've never had a tractor get submarined before. Ever.

Had a Wisconsin irrigation pump and motor under water a couple of times back in the early 70's. The cap for the air filter was the only thing sticking out. When I pulled the dip sticks out water shot out of both sides. The Wisconsin air cooled had 2 dip sticks.

I drained all the water out then filled the crankcase with diesel fuel and used the crank handle to turn the engine over a few times then drain it again and fill with engine oil. Once you drain the water you need to get oil back in it and try and get it running so things don't start to rust.

 

[VT6Kubota]

Sorry to hear about the 8N.
May I suggest that all the electrical connections and contacts be thoroughly dried out also, there shouldn't be too many of them. Back in 1992 when our downtown went under water people who tried to save their cars started having electrical troubles a few months later.
good luck.

 

[pitt_md]

Well, ****....

somebody's jet ski was (still is) in my yard.

The Lord givith and the Lord takith away...:laughing:

 

[gauthier]

I wish you people could steer some of that rain towards w.v.,,its been the driest its ever been here in southern w.v.,,,I'm not one of those suberbinite weekly yard mowers,,but,,I've only mowed my yard about once in going on three months now...[and it currently don't need mowing].

 

[jinman]

Joe, I'm really sorry to hear about your flash flood damage. I don't have a lot to offer except to suggest draining and flushing. Remember that alcohol will absorb water and help with drying. Also, any water that got into the casings should be at the bottom unless it gets stirred up. Good luck with your drying project.

 

[Pushing_Tin]

Sorry about your tractor, but I'd love to see a few pics of the jet ski and fish on your stoop!

 

[jpm]

sorry to hear about the flood.as been said before get the old fluids out real quik and new in. the less time it takes the better. and make sure NO water in the cylinders before you try to crank it over

 

[blueriver]

Remember that alcohol will absorb water and help with drying.

May even help you feel better ...

 

[crashz]

I've never had good luck using alcohol as a drying agent. I always find myself forgeting what I was doing and peeing a lot.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

The electrical connections was a good point. WD-40 is your friend to flush out dirt and fish from your tractor. Run some fans across it and anything else to speed up the drying process to minimize rusting and corrosion.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

:laughing:

I've never had good luck using alcohol as a drying agent. I always find myself forgeting what I was doing and peeing a lot.

 

[arrabil]

Definitely don't start it until you've changed the engine oil, oil filter, and air filters. No need to risk hydro-locking it or worse.

 

[Soundguy]

ditto all said.. drain sumps, flush using diesel and alcohol.. spray out the genny and starter brush area with crc cleaner.

pull plugs.. change oil, add a lil atf to each cyl and run her over..

clean out oil bath air filter.. carb.. etc.

spray out the dizzy with crc cleaner, then regrease rubbibg block.. pull some grocery sack paper or typing paper between the points.

check the battery if it was submerged... likely water logged.

check to make sure the clutch bellhousing drain is open ( jiggler cotter pin )

if the steering box was under water.. even where the sectors are, pump it full of grease..

soundguy

 

[MarkV]

Joe I saw some news coverage of the flash floods. Wow!! It sure sounds like they came up fast and furious this time.

MarkV

 

[Ford tractor]

Well, in one way you are lucky. The 8n will be able to shrug off the dunking and still operate well for the next 50 years. I wouldn't be optimistic about a new one.

If you do take the wires apart (may be no need), coat the connections with dielectric grease. That will keep them bright and tight.

 

[arrabil]

Dielectric grease prevents good electrical contact. So you want to use it outside of the connector, not on the contacts themselves.

 

[cspot]

I would change the fluids and filters again after 4 or 5 hours of use to get rid of any water or dirt that might still be in there.

 

[56FordGuy]

I work for an equipment dealer, and we just dealt with this here in middle Tennessee a couple of months ago.

You need to drain the engine ASAP. Depending on how high the water level you got, you could have water in the cylinders and that will sieze the engine up in a hurry. It wouldn't hurt at all to pull the spark plugs and pour some oil into the cylinders, either.

Otherwise, drain your fluids, flush with whatever type fluid you drained, then refill. Plan on having your generator and starter rebuilt. The N series Fords did not have many electrical connectors that will retain water, unlike modern equipment with multiple wires inside a plastic plug. Pull the distributor cap and let it dry out/ spray it with something to dry it out. If the battery was hooked up while it was submerged, the water may have caused a short and damaged your points and condensor.

My biggest concern would be water sitting in the cylinders. The good news is, worst case scenario the 8N is still a common tractor, and engine rebuild kits are available. If you get it drained soon you probably won't have to go that far, but at least if you do, it's a simple tractor to work on with good parts availability.