Engine knock?

[Swanny]

I bought a Ford 540A 3 cylinder diesel tractor. When the engine is throttled up there is a knocking sound. Only when it is given fuel though. It sounds fine other than that and there is no smoke and it runs great. I wrote the sound off to your typical diesel noise. Is that a good assumption?

 

[guido]

Hello SWANNY.
If the speed/frequemcy of the noise is faster when the engine is thottled up, it is not a good sign. If the engine just muffles the noise you hear at idle, then it may only be the type on clattering noise that a diesel makes at idle.
Guido.

 

[Bruce Hopf]

swanny
Had the engine been overhauled prior to you getting this tractor? It so it could br that the rear main bearing cap washers where not properly installed. I did that with My Fordson Dexta. Tore it down again and that is what I found. Hope this helps.

 

[Swanny]

You only hear the noise when you give it fuel. When the engine is running at any rpm it is quiet. I noticed it when I would hit the throttle. The previous owner said the noise is just how these particular ford diesel engines sound?

 

[Swanny]

The previous owner that I bought it from didn't overhaul it and being a former State DOT tractor I doubt they overhauled it.

You only here the noise when you hit the throttle and it is "reving" up. At a consistent idel it is quiet.

If it was a bearing or something wouldn't it knock all the time?

 

[Anonymous-0]

All those 3cyl fords seemed to have a pretty loud knock to them under acceleration but quiets down once the engine gets up to speed, that being said its tough to tell from a verbal description whether its normal or trouble..Maybe you could record a little bit of a sound file and get better advice?
just a thought.

 

[Bruce Hopf]

swanny.
These washers that I am talking about are are thrust washers, located at the rear main bearing of the engine. They are to prevent the crank shaft from haveing too much end play. When being reved up when there is too much end play in the crank shaft, the crank shaft will move from end to end causing a knock. These washers over time will wear out, and being a highway tractor, it will have seen lots of hours. Another thing that could knock is a lose valve. Hope this helps.

 

[Bruce Hopf]

swanny.
These washers that I am talking about are are thrust washers, located at the rear main bearing of the engine. They are to prevent the crank shaft from haveing too much end play. When being reved up when there is too much end play in the crank shaft, the crank shaft will move from end to end causing a knock. These washers over time will wear out, and being a highway tractor, it will have seen lots of hours. Another thing that could knock is a lose valve. Hope this helps.

 

[Walt Davies]

Sounds like a rod noise to me pull the pan an check it out.
Walt

 

[Farmer Alf]

Hi Swanny,

An aftermarket oil pressure gauge costs about $20. This will give ya a hint at the bearing conditions without spending a lot of time or money.

Secondly my 3000 develops a tick/knock when the valves need adjusted. May not be your problem but again not much time or money involved to check.

These three cylinder Fords do have a rather unique sound. Find a neighbour with one and give a listen or go to the local dealer, pretend yer interested in a used 3 cylinder Ford and hit the throttle a few times during yer test run. If it sounds the same as yours chances are they are both fine.

Just some thoughts,

Alf

 

[RodinNS]

It's probably nothing. Those are a noisy little engine. If it doesn't start hammering when it's lugging, doesn't burn oil andit starts quick when it's cold... it's probably fine.
Bearing and rods are about the last thing I'd expect in those engines really. Pistons and rings are generally the first failure of the ones i've seen apart. If it was knocking/slapping under load then then you could expect piston wear. You will also find compression low and it will be quite hard starting and make a good bit of white smoke until it warms up.
I would say that someone that is used to listenign to a Deere or IH engine of that size will probably find that the Ford makes some disconcerting noises. They hammer pretty good on acceleration... something they can't really help with close to an inch more bore than some of their competitors.

Rod

 

[Swanny]

(quoted from post at 15:36:03 02/25/08) It's probably nothing. Those are a noisy little engine. If it doesn't start hammering when it's lugging, doesn't burn oil andit starts quick when it's cold... it's probably fine.
Bearing and rods are about the last thing I'd expect in those engines really. Pistons and rings are generally the first failure of the ones i've seen apart. If it was knocking/slapping under load then then you could expect piston wear. You will also find compression low and it will be quite hard starting and make a good bit of white smoke until it warms up.
I would say that someone that is used to listenign to a Deere or IH engine of that size will probably find that the Ford makes some disconcerting noises. They hammer pretty good on acceleration... something they can't really help with close to an inch more bore than some of their competitors.

Rod

I really haven't put it under a load. I have only started it twice since I bought it and it was about 25 degrees each time. It did start hard but with no glow plugs or block heater I would expect this?

You hit it on the head with "hammer on acceleration". Thats exactly what it does.