Case 580G engine locked?

[VTjunk]

I’m starting a project on a Case 580G and I think the engine is locked up. I turned the key and it wanted to turn over once but then just clicked. I swapped in new batteries and now it won’t crank at all it just clicks, and seems like the engine is locked up. Did a little research and wondering if it could be “hydrostatic lock”? Debating trying to pull the fuel injectors and crank it to see if that relieves any pressure.

I know NOTHING at all and would greatly appreciate any and all advice! Thanks

 

[Roger Link]

If you can, pull the starter out and use a bar on the ring gear to try to turn it over

 

[VTjunk]

If you can, pull the starter out and use a bar on the ring gear to try to turn it over

Thank you, I’ll look into that! There is an opening on the opposite side to the starter where I can shift the cover to expose a gear and I tried to turn that with a bar but no luck!

 

[Willow Lane]

Loosen the starter and wiggle it. I don't know if any of the Case tractors had problems with starters locking up, but I grew up with Farmalls that the starter would lock up when the bendix gear and flywheel got worn.

 

[VTjunk]

Loosen the starter and wiggle it. I don't know if any of the Case tractors had problems with starters locking up, but I grew up with Farmalls that the starter would lock up when the bendix gear and flywheel got worn.

Thanks!

 

[cumminstinkerer]

Thank you, I’ll look into that! There is an opening on the opposite side to the starter where I can shift the cover to expose a gear and I tried to turn that with a bar but no luck!

there is a tool that is made to go in that hole and mate with the ring gear that you use a 1/2 drive ratchet on to turn the engine, unlikely the starter is stuck, never seen one on a CDC engine stick but worth a try. I would pop the 4 speed into neutral first and see if it'll turn, if not then proceed, if it does report back and I can point you along. The next thing would be to remove the coupler for the hydraulic pump off the front of the crankshaft, 4 bolts and then it slides towards the pump (can get really stuck on the shaft, may have to knock it back with a hammer and punch) then try again to turn the engine. I have never had a CDC leak enough fuel to hydrolock, now if the head gasket leaked coolant then that's a different story, I would pull injectors next and try to turn it with all 4 out, watch for spraying fluids out of the injector holes. I was a Case CE tech for about 8.5 years, never saw a G but they all share commonalities so I'll help what I can!

 

[VTjunk]

there is a tool that is made to go in that hole and mate with the ring gear that you use a 1/2 drive ratchet on to turn the engine, unlikely the starter is stuck, never seen one on a CDC engine stick but worth a try. I would pop the 4 speed into neutral first and see if it'll turn, if not then proceed, if it does report back and I can point you along. The next thing would be to remove the coupler for the hydraulic pump off the front of the crankshaft, 4 bolts and then it slides towards the pump (can get really stuck on the shaft, may have to knock it back with a hammer and punch) then try again to turn the engine. I have never had a CDC leak enough fuel to hydrolock, now if the head gasket leaked coolant then that's a different story, I would pull injectors next and try to turn it with all 4 out, watch for spraying fluids out of the injector holes. I was a Case CE tech for about 8.5 years, never saw a G but they all share commonalities so I'll help what I can!

Unbelievably helpful, thank you!

 

[cumminstinkerer]

I may have spoke too soon, Is the G a backhoe or forklift? if backhoe that could be a weird breed, I forgot they were not built for the US and have a lot of oddities

 

[VTjunk]

I may have spoke too soon, Is the G a backhoe or forklift? if backhoe that could be a weird breed, I forgot they were not built for the US and have a lot of oddities

Backhoe, yeah I think its from Europe

 

[cumminstinkerer]

Unbelievably helpful, thank you!

I was thinking the G had a CDC engine but after digging a bit it looks to possibly be a perkins, I may be slightly more than off then, post a pic of the engine, I will dig a little and see about the shuttle and pump drive setup, brain was thinking it was a short production run similar to an E

 

[cumminstinkerer]

I was thinking the G had a CDC engine but after digging a bit it looks to possibly be a perkins, I may be slightly more than off then, post a pic of the engine, I will dig a little and see about the shuttle and pump drive setup, brain was thinking it was a short production run similar to an E

I dug into the parts manual and most all of what I said will still apply, just the engine being different, all the theories are the same, most definitely is a Perkins engine, but shuttle and pump all connect the same, and function the same, not really sure that a perkins could put enough fuel in to hydrolock either, if it is truly locked I'd lean more towards coolant again.

 

[VTjunk]

I dug into the parts manual and most all of what I said will still apply, just the engine being different, all the theories are the same, most definitely is a Perkins engine, but shuttle and pump all connect the same, and function the same, not really sure that a perkins could put enough fuel in to hydrolock either, if it is truly locked I'd lean more towards coolant again.

Thanks a bunch for all the information!

 

[used red MN]

Hello VT, welcome to YT! If it is a hydrostatic lock the engine should turn backwards at least some amount.

 

[VTjunk]

Hello VT, welcome to YT! If it is a hydrostatic lock the engine should turn backwards at least some amount.

Thank you! I’m feeling pretty dumb, I need to go over the electrical again because I see a broken off wire, I think maybe a ground from the starter? I’m writing down a list of problems and hoping to keep checking them off in hopes that it solves THE problem

 

[Pembroke]

keep us informed please

 

[RGMartin]

That is 100% for sure a David Brown engine. Not a Perkins or CDC.


The starter has a ground from the end of the starter body to one of the bolts that holds the block to the frame. Unlikely the issue.

with the Lucas electrical system the cause is very likely electrical and not mechanical.

Work on the basics, check voltage at the starter when you try to crank it?

 

[VTjunk]

Update: I started to disconnect the fuel injectors but they were stuck on. But somehow in my taking it apart it relieved pressure and it was able to turn over! After hooking the battery up to a quick start and jumping off a pickup truck, with a shot of ether she started! I moved her out of where she had sunken in, and I’ll spend the winter cleaning her up and trying to make a list of all the issues to fix. Thanks so much for all the help!

 

[used red MN]

Thanks for the update! Check the radiator and make sure that coolant didn’t leak into the top of the piston. If coolant is low make sure it is not in the engine oil pan by cracking the oil plug and loosening it till it drips. Water/coolant will be under the oil so it will be what is on the bottom. Running the engine with coolant in the oil will ruin the engine bearings quickly. It may have just been something in the starter or a connection that didn’t let it crank and there may be no other actual problems.

 

[VTjunk]

Thanks for the update! Check the radiator and make sure that coolant didn’t leak into the top of the piston. If coolant is low make sure it is not in the engine oil pan by cracking the oil plug and loosening it till it drips. Water/coolant will be under the oil so it will be what is on the bottom. Running the engine with coolant in the oil will ruin the engine bearings quickly. It may have just been something in the starter or a connection that didn’t let it crank and there may be no other actual problems.

Thanks!