4320 engine problems

[Anonymous-0]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience or knowledge of a design flaw or weakness in the 4320 engine. I am a farmer in eastern Iowa and do repower, restoration work on the side. I have come across 9 4320s in the last 3 years with bad engines. Usually with bad cranks, broken rods, spun bearings, almost all had antifreeze contamination in the oil. I have never seen this with any other model. Some of the tractors were fairly low houred and most of them seemed to be well taken care of. I repowered all of them with 7700 turbo combine engines. While this ruins their collectability, it makes for a great running tractor. I would use a standard 4320 engine, but have never been able to find one without damage. Has anyone else seen this problem, or have any idea what could be causing it?

 

[buickanddeere]

It's age not hours. Check the antifreeze. The freeze protection maybe -40F but the corrosion inhibitors were deleted a decade or two ago.
A concept that astounds many when using a coolant test strip is suggested.
You have not stated if the coolant leaks were head gaskets, failed sleeve O'rings or perforated sleeves.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have never torn one of these engines down to determine where the antifreeze is entering the system, that is why I wanted to know if anyone had any idea on the cause. It just seems strange for me to see so many of this particular model with this problem. I have worked on several late model 4020s and 30 series tractors, and have never seen oil contamination problems.

 

[tim s]

I have not seen this to be a common problem in 4320's, as B&D stated time and maintance can be a large part of the problem you have seen, 4320's also carried a lot of the work load before the new Gen's came out. I have a complete 4320 engine here that was removed to make a pulling tractor, it sounded good and solid before it was removed if anyone is interested...

 

[Anonymous-0]

Where are you located, and how much would you wand for the engine

 

[Anonymous-0]

WE have pretty bad water {hard} i have overhauled many JDs with holes eaten in the sleeves 3010s 3020 s 4010s 4020s And many 30 &40 seairs good operaters check oil and find the antia freeze in there before the brgs go and throw rods.we see this problem on most other brands as well other

 

[tim s]

I agree with you about the water quality Kent, I have always thought that had a lot to do with it.Balancing the PH helps, but the minerals in the water affect them also..

 

[Anonymous-0]

I should add to my eariler post engineers call this problem electolyis it can happend in all engines but shows up in wet sleeve engines the most it caused by static elec

 

[johns]

B&D is right, using coolant strips and checking the antifreeze are crucial to the longevity. I work at our local JD dealer, and we use the test strips every time we do an inspection. We have a few 4320's in my area with 10,000 hours on an overhaul. The premixed JD coolant is one of the best investments you can use in your engine. I know it sounds like a sales pitch, but I've seen what the sleeves look like with or without using good coolant. Do NOT use automotive antifreeze in your tractor. The last 4320 we overhauled to stock specs had over 10,000 hours and after doing the engine it was pulling 130 horse on the dyno when we were breaking it in. Testament to the durability of the 404 engine.

 

[William Draper]

I have seen this many, many times on wet sleeve diesel engines. Liner pitting is caused by small air bubbles forming on the O.D. if the liner. The bubbles implode causing pitting.

You are correct, using antifreeze designed for diesel engines with quality water and an additive to prevent pitting (it actually coats the liner O.D.). The additive level must be checked and topped off on a regular basis. This is normally detailed in Owners' Manuals.

 

[msb]

Bad cranks and spun bearings sound like some of them have been caused from dilution(bad seals in the injection pumps).

 

[LarrySTN]

B&D is correct, most failures can be attributed to poor maintenence. We pull oil samples at every oil change. One pulled sample saved the crank on my 2750 as a liner had pitted through with less than 2000 hours on the tractor. The oil sample showed major aluminum and iron in the oil. The bearings were eroded the rings and pistons had major wear, but the crank mic-ed fine. This occurred even though the coolant was changed as per owners manual. Now we also test strip the coolant. It's amazing what testing can prevent.