Underwater

[loopyl]

Yesterday I was mowing around our pond which I have done various times before. To make a very long story short I got stuck with the front end of my 4400 underwater with about 25% of the engine compartment at an angle forward underwater. The engine stalled and I did not restart it. I was able to pull it out onto the bank with the help of my neighbor. The oil and gas both looked OK. However the radiator was leaking all the antifreeze out. I could see the leak but there was no obvious defect. I called the dealer and he said it would be OK to start it to move it even without coolant. I did put a few cups of water in though.
The engine will not start, not even turn over. It just goes "donk" everytime I turn the key. The lights don't work either. I cannot find a bad fuse. I tried to jump it but still no power. Someone suggested the starter was wet but would that effect the lights?
I have 4 questions:
1) Why would the radiator spring a leak?
2) Is there any way I can fix it myself?
3) Why doesn't the tractor start?
4) did I do any major damage?
The dealer is supposed to send someone out in a few days but I'd rather fix it if I can.
Thank you for your help.

 

[Berniep]

When the cooling fan hits the water it is drawn towards the radiator. It probably cut into it a little bit. As far as the engine not turning over it might have drawn water into the intake and has hydro locked it. That can get a little expensive if it bent or broke a rod. I don't know about the lights. Hopefully it's a starter problem but I would stop trying to start it until a mechanic looks at it.

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto ont he hydro lock.. quit trying to jump it.. you will eat the crank or a rod.

this one needs service by a qualified mechanic.

Soundguy

 

[offcamber]

As far as the radiator another possibility is that when it hit the cold water you may have cracked a weld. As for the other problems I agree with whats been posted...STOP TRYING TO START IT...if its hydro locked you can do serious damage. If you want to try and fix it yourself. Pull the glow plugs to vent the cylinders....see if it will turn over. If it does and water shoots out of the glow plug holes then it was hydro locked. This is the method to clear gas engines that have been submergeor sucked in water. If the procedure is diffrent for deisels someone please correct me.

Good Luck

 

[loopyl]

Thanks for the replys. You were right, I had the mechanic come out today and he did find that the engine seized from water in the cylinders. I need a new engine, but the good news is I thing my insurance will cover it.

 

[Tig]

If the insurance does not cover it you are into about $1000 worth of connecting rods etc and a lot of labour. I hope it works out OK for you.

 

[have_blue]

Let's hope it's just wet relays and such and she didn't inhale water.

 

[Willl]

Let's hope it's just wet relays and such and she didn't inhale water.

Read post #5 again.

 

[steverichmond]

Yesterday I was mowing around our pond which I have done various times before. To make a very long story short I got stuck with the front end of my 4400 underwater with about 25% of the engine compartment at an angle forward underwater. The engine stalled and I did not restart it. I was able to pull it out onto the bank with the help of my neighbor. The oil and gas both looked OK. However the radiator was leaking all the antifreeze out. I could see the leak but there was no obvious defect. I called the dealer and he said it would be OK to start it to move it even without coolant. I did put a few cups of water in though.
The engine will not start, not even turn over. It just goes "donk" everytime I turn the key. The lights don't work either. I cannot find a bad fuse. I tried to jump it but still no power. Someone suggested the starter was wet but would that effect the lights?
I have 4 questions:
1) Why would the radiator spring a leak?
2) Is there any way I can fix it myself?
3) Why doesn't the tractor start?
4) did I do any major damage?
The dealer is supposed to send someone out in a few days but I'd rather fix it if I can.
Thank you for your help.

You are not alone. Been there done that! Got lucky with no damage

 

[The Gardener]

Yesterday I was mowing around our pond which I have done various times before. To make a very long story short I got stuck with the front end of my 4400 underwater ...

We are all hopeful that your insurance will cover the engine replacement. As always, the immediate advice you received was excellent. We look forward to reading your follow up posts that have you back in the seat enjoying your L4400 and all that it can do.

-----

I want to segway into something that I think is a worthy connection to this unfortunate scenario. It has always been my feeling that owning and using a less expensive riding mower for tricky cuts around ponds, creeks, wood's lines, flower beds, gardens, buildings, etc, is worth the expense of the purchase.

The initial hit is pricey [unless you can find a nice used one], but the long term value is certainly there. A new or used Kubota T or GR series mower, used for limited cutting, will last forever with basic upkeep and occasional mantenance. It's safer to operate around water especially if roll over is a possibility, the damage potential to the mower [vs the tractor] and the obstacles listed above is minimal, and a riding mower serves as fabulous protection for a larger tractor which is then left to handle the larger job at hand.

:The Gardener

 

[Soundguy]

That or use a larger mower, or offset mower with large side clearance to mow the edge.. EG.. ditch bank mower.. or batwing or other large fixed deck, offset or not.. as long as it has side clearance from the tractor.. etc.

soundguy

 

[loopyl]

I do use a riding mower but the brushhog is able to get areas that it cannot.

 

[have_blue]

That or use a larger mower, or offset mower with large side clearance to mow the edge.. EG.. ditch bank mower.. or batwing or other large fixed deck, offset or not.. as long as it has side clearance from the tractor.. etc.

soundguy

Hard to beat the old sickle bar for that purpose. Maybe some day it will come back in a new "safety" version made with modern materials (meaning CHEAP).

 

[rcrcomputing]

Interesting. Hopefully the insurance will help.
Could one of you explain futher what "probably" took place? Water in the air intake blows the engine??

Guess riding on the **** just got more interesting..

 

[offcamber]

Interesting. Hopefully the insurance will help.
Could one of you explain futher what "probably" took place? Water in the air intake blows the engine??

Guess riding on the **** just got more interesting..

When water is drawn into the engine it can fill the cylinders....since you can not compress a liquid, when you try to crank the engine (or if the engine is still running when one or more cylinders fills up) you can bend or break the connecting rods. Even cranking the engine trying to start it can do this since starters can produce a fair amount of torque due to the gear reduction.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Thanks, that's what I got to thinking after that. Always needing to know why, how, etc.. One of my vices.

 

[Mike_V]

Thanks for the replys. You were right, I had the mechanic come out today and he did find that the engine seized from water in the cylinders. I need a new engine, but the good news is I thing my insurance will cover it.

Did you check the front axle for water?

You answered part of the question in recent threads about how deep in water you can operate a tractor...

 

[Soundguy]

If he's getting a new engine.. I'd deffinately flusht he front axle and doe all front end bearins and such.. don't want any grit in there.. steering members and all.

soundguy

 

[BotaBigot]

Differentials are vented, so front axle fluid needs changing. Re-grease any fittings that were underwater to force any water out. As for wet electrical components, use compressed air and/or alcohol. I like alcohol because it displaces water and leaves no residue.