I3300B skid steer issues

[Trickedwelder]

Hi all, new here and looking for some knowledge. I just picked up a ai3300b off of a veteran in Prescott. He sold it to me saying there were no leaks, no issues running ready to go. 3700 for the skid, a trailer and 2 buckets.
Looking over the machine I noticed there was a small leak in the HP oil line. I also noticed the fuel line had been leaking a bit. He ripped it on the test drive, seemed alright. He swore he never noticed and it must have just happened.
I purchased the machine, brought it home. Flagged a HP copper line and fixed up a new fuel line. I filled the engine with 15-40 and never ran it more than 5 minutes at a time ( I live in the city, I’m a welder and needed a way to move metal and plow my grandparents and parents driveway.)
On the 4th start up the Wisconsin engine with 650 hours on it started knocking like crazy. I shut it down, applied to white a thread here. Did some research, listened to someone that said to put a dash of oil down the exhaust because the heads stick in these machines.

I pured way too much oil in the exhaust. I did another oil change with time adding a little more than the last, 5.1quarts. Same oil, 3rd oil change. I started it 3 times to blast the oil out. Novice, maybe a mistake I’m not sure. I just started it a 4th time and the controls seem to have a mind of their own now. Engine sounded fine from running a few seconds the first 3 times. 4th time I started her up, same thing. Horrible pounding and loads of vibration.
I looked over the machine and noticed a bunch of stuff I didn’t before. There’s a HP fitting at the top of the oil res that was packed with what I can only describe as dead bugs. When I started the machine the first few times when I first got it it seemed unusually hot and there was a lot of upward force coming from the engine/ maybe head gaskets. I know these are air cooled so I didn’t think much of it. The engine started omitting smoke, I, not knowing much thought it was oil I had spilled on the exhaust doing the first oil change. My question is. Am I toast here? Any help would be awesome. I contacted the guy I bought it from, asked him if he had experience any issues with it before I started tearing into it. He claimed he knew nothing of the sort and only ran it for 20mins but never saw smoke from it. Looking at the video he sent me, it was definitely smoking I just thought it was exhaust. Did I get takes for a ride here? Thank you in advance!

 

[sandcastle1]

your skidsteer is about 50 years old, very unlikely to have 650 hours on it. based on your description it sounds like you have several issues going on.

 

[Trickedwelder]

your skidsteer is about 50 years old, very unlikely to have 650 hours on it. based on your description it sounds like you have several issues going on.

I’m so green it isn’t even funny. I wasn’t thinking about the age, I was just thinking about ‘no leaks’ and moving pallets and snow. Any way you could give me some pointers on the best place to start? I feel so dumb right now.

 

[Blackhole49]

Hi all, new here and looking for some knowledge. I just picked up a ai3300b off of a veteran in Prescott. He sold it to me saying there were no leaks, no issues running ready to go. 3700 for the skid, a trailer and 2 buckets.
Looking over the machine I noticed there was a small leak in the HP oil line. I also noticed the fuel line had been leaking a bit. He ripped it on the test drive, seemed alright. He swore he never noticed and it must have just happened.
I purchased the machine, brought it home. Flagged a HP copper line and fixed up a new fuel line. I filled the engine with 15-40 and never ran it more than 5 minutes at a time ( I live in the city, I’m a welder and needed a way to move metal and plow my grandparents and parents driveway.)
On the 4th start up the Wisconsin engine with 650 hours on it started knocking like crazy. I shut it down, applied to white a thread here. Did some research, listened to someone that said to put a dash of oil down the exhaust because the heads stick in these machines.

I pured way too much oil in the exhaust. I did another oil change with time adding a little more than the last, 5.1quarts. Same oil, 3rd oil change. I started it 3 times to blast the oil out. Novice, maybe a mistake I’m not sure. I just started it a 4th time and the controls seem to have a mind of their own now. Engine sounded fine from running a few seconds the first 3 times. 4th time I started her up, same thing. Horrible pounding and loads of vibration.
I looked over the machine and noticed a bunch of stuff I didn’t before. There’s a HP fitting at the top of the oil res that was packed with what I can only describe as dead bugs. When I started the machine the first few times when I first got it it seemed unusually hot and there was a lot of upward force coming from the engine/ maybe head gaskets. I know these are air cooled so I didn’t think much of it. The engine started omitting smoke, I, not knowing much thought it was oil I had spilled on the exhaust doing the first oil change. My question is. Am I toast here? Any help would be awesome. I contacted the guy I bought it from, asked him if he had experience any issues with it before I started tearing into it. He claimed he knew nothing of the sort and only ran it for 20mins but never saw smoke from it. Looking at the video he sent me, it was definitely smoking I just thought it was exhaust. Did I get takes for a ride here? Thank you in advance!

I'm guessing it is a 4 cyl. Wisconsin. What is the compression? Oil pressure? For comparison, I've had a tired CL40 Ford for 20+ years I paid $2,000 for. It smoked when I got it and surprisingly still does. Loud knocking is bad, especially coupled with smoking. As castle implies, no way 650 hours. As far as controls having a mind of their own, mine will buck like a bronco (especially on pavement) unless you have a firm delicate grasp of the controls. I've learned to deal with it. Did you get taken for a ride? Probably. Either that or you paid for a valuable lesson. Been there, done that.

 

[used red MN]

Hello Trick…, welcome to YT! Post a short video of the knocking, longer ones will not upload. It is common for the “valves” to stick on those Wisconsin flat head engines when they set. However when that happens it would not make the engine knock because the valves are in the engine block beside the piston and not on top of the piston like configured on an overhead valve model. Look at how the engine shaft is connected to drive the machine pump. If that is loose that can give you a knocking sound. If you’re “so green it isn’t even funny” towards mechanical repair this may not be the machine for you.

 

[Loosehandle]

Hi all, new here and looking for some knowledge. I just picked up a ai3300b off of a veteran in Prescott. He sold it to me saying there were no leaks, no issues running ready to go. 3700 for the skid, a trailer and 2 buckets.
Looking over the machine I noticed there was a small leak in the HP oil line. I also noticed the fuel line had been leaking a bit. He ripped it on the test drive, seemed alright. He swore he never noticed and it must have just happened.
I purchased the machine, brought it home. Flagged a HP copper line and fixed up a new fuel line. I filled the engine with 15-40 and never ran it more than 5 minutes at a time ( I live in the city, I’m a welder and needed a way to move metal and plow my grandparents and parents driveway.)
On the 4th start up the Wisconsin engine with 650 hours on it started knocking like crazy. I shut it down, applied to white a thread here. Did some research, listened to someone that said to put a dash of oil down the exhaust because the heads stick in these machines.

I pured way too much oil in the exhaust. I did another oil change with time adding a little more than the last, 5.1quarts. Same oil, 3rd oil change. I started it 3 times to blast the oil out. Novice, maybe a mistake I’m not sure. I just started it a 4th time and the controls seem to have a mind of their own now. Engine sounded fine from running a few seconds the first 3 times. 4th time I started her up, same thing. Horrible pounding and loads of vibration.
I looked over the machine and noticed a bunch of stuff I didn’t before. There’s a HP fitting at the top of the oil res that was packed with what I can only describe as dead bugs. When I started the machine the first few times when I first got it it seemed unusually hot and there was a lot of upward force coming from the engine/ maybe head gaskets. I know these are air cooled so I didn’t think much of it. The engine started omitting smoke, I, not knowing much thought it was oil I had spilled on the exhaust doing the first oil change. My question is. Am I toast here? Any help would be awesome. I contacted the guy I bought it from, asked him if he had experience any issues with it before I started tearing into it. He claimed he knew nothing of the sort and only ran it for 20mins but never saw smoke from it. Looking at the video he sent me, it was definitely smoking I just thought it was exhaust. Did I get takes for a ride here? Thank you in advance!

Can't expect much from a skid steer less than 10k

 

[sandcastle1]

I’m so green it isn’t even funny. I wasn’t thinking about the age, I was just thinking about ‘no leaks’ and moving pallets and snow. Any way you could give me some pointers on the best place to start? I feel so dumb right now.

I would suggest you start simple, make sure all the fluids are where they are supposed to be and all belts, drive shafts and hoses are appropriately tight. Cylinder compression is where I would go from there and pump compression would follow that. Do you have a manual, what about source for parts?

 

[Part Time Pete]

A guy I worked for had a little Ford skid steer similar to yours, Blackhole - had a little V-4 in it

 

[Blackhole49]

A guy I worked for had a little Ford skid steer similar to yours, Blackhole - had a little V-4 in it

That's what mine has. 104 ci. water cooled Ford V4.

 

[Alvin 41]

Hi all, new here and looking for some knowledge. I just picked up a ai3300b off of a veteran in Prescott. He sold it to me saying there were no leaks, no issues running ready to go. 3700 for the skid, a trailer and 2 buckets.
Looking over the machine I noticed there was a small leak in the HP oil line. I also noticed the fuel line had been leaking a bit. He ripped it on the test drive, seemed alright. He swore he never noticed and it must have just happened.
I purchased the machine, brought it home. Flagged a HP copper line and fixed up a new fuel line. I filled the engine with 15-40 and never ran it more than 5 minutes at a time ( I live in the city, I’m a welder and needed a way to move metal and plow my grandparents and parents driveway.)
On the 4th start up the Wisconsin engine with 650 hours on it started knocking like crazy. I shut it down, applied to white a thread here. Did some research, listened to someone that said to put a dash of oil down the exhaust because the heads stick in these machines.

I pured way too much oil in the exhaust. I did another oil change with time adding a little more than the last, 5.1quarts. Same oil, 3rd oil change. I started it 3 times to blast the oil out. Novice, maybe a mistake I’m not sure. I just started it a 4th time and the controls seem to have a mind of their own now. Engine sounded fine from running a few seconds the first 3 times. 4th time I started her up, same thing. Horrible pounding and loads of vibration.
I looked over the machine and noticed a bunch of stuff I didn’t before. There’s a HP fitting at the top of the oil res that was packed with what I can only describe as dead bugs. When I started the machine the first few times when I first got it it seemed unusually hot and there was a lot of upward force coming from the engine/ maybe head gaskets. I know these are air cooled so I didn’t think much of it. The engine started omitting smoke, I, not knowing much thought it was oil I had spilled on the exhaust doing the first oil change. My question is. Am I toast here? Any help would be awesome. I contacted the guy I bought it from, asked him if he had experience any issues with it before I started tearing into it. He claimed he knew nothing of the sort and only ran it for 20mins but never saw smoke from it. Looking at the video he sent me, it was definitely smoking I just thought it was exhaust. Did I get takes for a ride here? Thank you in advance!

52 years ago I had a used IH330B skid loader . Fairly capable machine {only one ever made with pivoting wheels connected to a balance lever in front allowing better ground contact} , Wisconsin engine drove hydraulic pumps with cogged belts. Main problem I had was that dust build up in engine cooling would burn a hole in the flat cylinder heads unless cleaned often.

 

[Trickedwelder]

Hello all, thank you for your advice and response. So far I’ve flushed the oil (5 times) clean as a whistle now. Originally it had some water in it from sitting. (Previous owner said it ran fine but then sat for a month when I contacted him about the issue) governor has been disconnected. I didn’t think that was a big deal but now I’m thinking it might be. When I say I’m ‘green’ I mean this is my first skid. I’ve torn apart plenty vehicles and do all of my own work. Since posting, I’ve flushed the oil, added a pressure gauge on oil inlet (reads zero but my understanding is these are low pressure motors pushing 4-5psi, 15 max with inline blow off if it ever builds that high) I’ve peeled off the heads, I’ve got some pretty good rust inside the heads. Gaskets we’re bad, I got a overhaul gasket kit. I’ve replaced the head gaskets (4 on the VG4D) I got new spark plugs. When I pulled spark plugs originally 3 were rich or wet and one was bone dry. I tested cylinders- like an idiot I tested them with the plugs in (first compression test I’ve done, I know, I know.) pressure reads 50 on 4 60 on 2 45 on 3 70 on 1. All over the map. Frustrating. I replaced the oil filter and fired her up. It’s not knocking, rather slapping. I don’t have a current video but I have a video of the issue when it happened originally. I’ll try to upload.

I cranked her over, she starts right up with a little choke. Choke gets turned off immediately. Looks like I have an aftermarket carb. I know oil pressure on at least one valve is good ask it was oiling when I bought it. Engine turns on. First minute or two, light smack (maybe these motors run that way I don’t have a 50yo motor laying around to compare it to and I know cameras don’t pick up sounds well) after a bit especially when I idle up slap seems louder. After running about 5 minutes exhaust starts blowing from exhaust flags just above head ( two connections I’m going after tomorrow) exhaust has enough pressure to still blow stack) some white smoke emits from stack, more as it runs.

Now get this, controls don’t have a mind of their own, springs are just warn for reverse and must be missing with forward. When I purchased there were 2 bungees on cage holding 2 levers in neutral. I hold the machine in neutral, it’s fine, I let go one side has power moving the machine making it impossible to get off and let it idle so I can inspect ( 3rd thing I’m going to fix)

I pushe the forward and reverse SLAPPING STOPS engine sounds and operates fine not like before my full 5x6 quarts of oil oil swap. Engine seems to get warm but I know, I know. Air cooled what do I expect. I’m very nervous about this thing full on blowing up and engulfing in flames in my driveway. I probably shouldn’t worry about it but I do. I’d do anything not to overhaul the engine. My plan is to either pass it on and be honest or run her till she dies hoping she dies on the trailer. I’ve read that most people just keep running them with no issue for hundreds of hours. Hydraulics are good with the exception of a fast downward motion. Mydraulics do settle when machine is off. No leaks are found and seals look strong. Currently there are 0 leaks on the machine.

I’m looking for further advice. Specifically has anyone had a air cooled motor burst into flames on them. This is a gasser. I was crying excited when I saved up for this thing and now as my friends have said, I may have paid to learn a lesson.

 

[Trickedwelder]

in this clip you can see where the exhaust is leaking above heads. Keep in mind this is after, like a not smart person, poured a quart of oil down the exhaust pre head pull. There is one slap before I shirt her down. She no longer makes this awful sound but rather a much much lighter version. This is as bad as it was. I probably let her slap 10 times like that in total no more before conducting my work. Thank you again.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

To isolate the noise, first thing I'd do is disconnect the engine from the rest of the machine. That will tell you if the knocking is the engine or something else in the machine.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

Had knock on one I bought. Rod went thru the block before I got it off the trailer .
Seller said 'you bought it'.

 

[Trickedwelder]

Had knock on one I bought. Rod went thru the block before I got it off the trailer .
Seller said 'you bought it'.

I’m sorry Boss, you didn’t deserve that. I share your frustration.

 

[Trickedwelder]

UPDATE: I have done all of the above work. No unnatural sounds that I’m aware of. They’re a bucket back on her and called over my cousin, a diesel mechanic that knows his way around gassers. He took my original smacking video for me and was there for the breakdown.

After I started her up, he bumped fists with me, said it sounded perfect ‘what are you worried about dude, you’re beating yourself up for no reason this thing sounds great now’ ‘these old engines just sound this way and there’s nothing you can do to make it sound better other than possibly tuning the carb further’

I’m ready for winter and I’m really hoping this is solved. I’m still wondering if anyone has had an air cooled engine burst into flames.

Thank you everyone!