Ballast Yanmar YM240. I'm in need of help, please.

[CoyPatton]

To check compression, you will need a compression tester. Hoye sells one for the yanmars. You can google how to run this test. You also need the compression specs for the YM240.
Unless it is your valves out of adjustment and not fully seating during compression. Then you need to figure out where your compression loss is happening.
Personally, since you know very little about the tractor history, I would start with the valve adjustment.
If it still spins freely after valve adjustment without pull the decompression lever, then it is compression test time.
Many people have a variety of ways to determine the issue of compression loss. My preferred is a cylinder leak down test. Using air pressure you look for where the air is escaping.

How does the tractor run under load after you pull start it?

 

[clemsonfor]

Since it runs fine I guess we could rule out the decompression linkage is actually functioning and not hanging up before it's totally closed. BUT anything is worth a look and check. So make sure the decompression linkage is allowing the exhaust valves to fully close.

 

[joebarros1]

Hey Y'all. You were right!!! I pulled the head and the pistons were really clean (only 300 hours), clean head too. I pulled the pistons and VOILA!!! Piston rings ALL busted!:thumbdown: Pistons don't look too good either. May be useable, but I don't want. Anybody know a cheap place I can buy, new Head Gasket; New Oil Pan Gasket; Pistons and Piston Rings? Thank you, Joe.

 

[clemsonfor]

Hey Y'all. You were right!!! I pulled the head and the pistons were really clean (only 300 hours), clean head too. I pulled the pistons and VOILA!!! Piston rings ALL busted! Pistons don't look too good either. May be useable, but I don't want. Anybody know a cheap place I can buy, new Head Gasket; New Oil Pan Gasket; Pistons and Piston Rings? Thank you, Joe.

Only a few places to buy from period. Hoye Tractor and Fredrick's Tractor in Alabama are the big two.

 

[joebarros1]

Thank you buddy, I appreciate that. Will call tomorrow.

 

[clemsonfor]

Thank you buddy, I appreciate that. Will call tomorrow.

Look up Hoye tractor online. You can see all that stuff online. They have clickable parts diagrams with prices.

 

[clemsonfor]

They also have used parts. But you will have to call or fill out their "help ticket" to inquire about them. But they say and it's been my experience that the used parts usually run about half of what the bee part costs.

If I were you and depending on price and how tight my money was I might be tempted to get good used pistons.

 

[CoyPatton]

Can you post some pictures of the pistons. Wondering what kind of damage is present.
My concern is for the cylinder walls with busted rings

 

[California]

And what broke those rings?

Somebody used Starting Fluid? Water in the cylinders?

 

[clemsonfor]

Was this the hard starting tractor. I'm guessing someone used ether.