912 Liebherr Excavator

[RBnSC]

Bought this Machine a couple of months ago it had been stolen and abused. owner got it back and parked in a field for 4 or 5 years. we bought it for scrap and made a effort to crank it so we could load it on low boy. Cranked right up, had to fix one metal line to stop a travel leak, walked right up onto low boy. We took it to our shop and have using it around yard and repairing little leaks and problems in spare time. The radiator was almost completely stopped up with dust and oil when we got it so I am certain it has been run hot many times. We cleaned it as soon as it hit our yard. still wants to run hot and yesterday it acted like it was seizing up. Checked oil and it was over full and milky. Question does anyone out there have experience working on these 4yl liebherr engines? I just can't decide whether to spend any money on it or scrap it and make a little and move on.I have three other excavators but it is really handy to keep this on yard for lifting and loading when others are on jobs. tight machine has 5000 hrs showing. Is it worth fixing or not? what do you think?
Ron

 

[Anonymous-0]

If it only has 5000 hrs., it's worth rebuilding the engine if you have to. I'd drain the oil and change it to get a better idea. Take a sample to an oil testing lab where they can tell you what's in it. Maybe it just got some water in it from sitting for several years or maybe just needs a head gasket and bearings? It doesn't look too old or in too bad of shape from what I can see. Undercarriage looks decent as well. Dave

 

[RBnSC]

Thanks Dave, you are right the undercarriage is in good shape. It actually works well. That was the only picture I had of it. People that stole it beat the snot out of it every door and panel all electrical ripped loose. It has air pressure system that does something and parts of that are disconnected. I am thinking that We could pull the motor apart to see what is wrong and still have only our time involved. We don't have a dealer in the area to buy parts. First I going to change oil. Thanks again I appreciate your input.
Ron

 

[Anonymous-0]

Seems odd they didn't break the windows. I'd try to get a manual for it or at least some wiring and other diagrams to know how everything connects. Dave

 

[NCWayne]

If I remember right the air pressure system on those machines pressurizes the hydraulic tank so the main pump is force fed instead of gravity/suction fed. If I'm right on that, it's something you might want to get fixed pretty fast as I don't know what kind of damage may be done to the main if run for exteneded periods without it.
Otherwise, if the machine is as tight as you describe, get the radiator cleaned out and have the engine checked out and rebuilt if necessary (probably just a head gasket or oil cooler leaking though). It'll cost you a little bit to get these things done but in the end you'll have a nice machine that should still be worth more than you have invested in it, even more so if you have a use for it where it can earn it's keep too.