TO-20

[glenncooner]

hello ,i have previously posted regarding this tractor. This TO-20 was run out oil 3 years ago due to a jerry rigged oil pan bolt-it sat in barn until this year. We got it started, but had problems we did not have knowledge or facilities to deal with. WE have taken it to local mechanic, we have reached a crossroads.
---before taking it to mechanic, tractor ran alright at idle, but when throttled up, ran rough.
---#3 cylinder spark plug kept getting mashed
mechanic took off head, carbon build up in #3 was heavy, but no bigchunks or anything that would mash spark plug(mechanics hired guy may have missed a chunk of carbon that was mashing plug, we dont know)--big weld found in upper cylindernear spark plug opening -new plugs may have been in too tight, mashed on the weld -useing the autolite 3116 recommended here--
---found points were shorting out, sometimes firing behind actual points. (this caused many problems we(not the mechanic) did not understand)
---tractor runs steady now,mechanic put it on dyno, put it under load-engine survived but there is a "deep knock" under load .
---now that i know what to listen for, the deep knock is definitly there after warm up, but subsides at throttle no more than a little above 1/2 throttle.

at this time, i am leaving area again for job assignment--my non mechanic brother will be running the tractor useing it for snow bladeing our mothers country driveway-it should be light duty

mechanic says there is no garuntee, but if light duty sustained, then tractor should be alright for "awhile". I'd like to leave believeing the tractor will make it through winter.
mechanic says the deep knock is probably something to do with a piston or crankshaft.
---im thinking one of my options is putting tractor in storage until i return-then overhauling engine in spring. this will surely alienate my family, so not sure what to do, but know i am leaving next week.
any opinons or thoughts appreciated.

 

[Anonymous-0]

[[[[[NO]]]] disrespect but it sounds to me your mechanic is not to sharp. with the history of loosing the oil from the engine you most likely have rod and main bearing trouble don't take long to spin them out with no oil. it's 15 minn. job to drop the pan and 30 minn. to pull bearing caps and then you will know the story. i it were me i'd park it till you pull it apart or you will trought a rod out the side then you will have junk

 

[johnandcindy1981]

Glen I agree with Marlowe you have got to get to the source of that knock before that tractor is junk. If you need it to push snow contract it out until you get home its cheaper than a block if you can find one or get yours repaired. There are lawn services that push snow and you stay in your familys good graces. Think about this IF the tractor gives up while your brother is pushing the driveway he will need a tow truck to get it off plus a way to plow snow. If the contractors truck breaks thats on his nickle. Also if you contract now you will get a cheaper deal than waiting until after it snows and you try to find someone. Regards, John

 

[Anonymous-0]

it would be very easy to put in rod and main brgs right now, not later. You can break the crankshaft if you dont.
You can also examine the pistons from the bottom,
for cracks.
But really, you need a major overhaul to orig specs.
The welds do not have to be a bad thing.
I have parts for this,,,,

 

[R . l . HULL]

If it has been run out of oil , and it has a knock now , it will either be a rod bearing , or a main bearing .
If you run it , you will only do more damage to the crankshaft , and possibly the block .
If you spin a rod bearing , it will probably break a rod and that will probably do damage to the block .It has probably already scored the crankshaft .
You can pull the base and pull the bearing caps from each journel,one at a time and inspect the bearing surface .
You can use a product called Plastiguage to check the clearance when you are inspecting the bearing surface .
I think I would look for another mechanic to do my motor work .
Off hand , I would say that the cylinder that had problems with the plug has probably got a spun rod bearing .
Good luck

 

[glenncooner]

thank you for specifics. the mechanic has/is more or less going with the idea that we want our cake and eat to. (we want to use tractor but delay overhaul.) He is a good mechanic, does huge volume of local work-has good shop with outside clean, uncluttered and organized. Shop is always full of tractors and in my limited interaction with shop, mechanic is often out on service calls. these are only indications, but have to go with what i see and some experience tells me. i have limited mechanical knowledge,experience and poor facilities for any mechanical work.---I am going to his shop, speak to him about inspection of crankshaft, bearings and so on and see if we can repair only the wore out parts. I realize we ought to just overhaul it, but i need to leave no later than coming thursday-i cannot leave tractor as is, with irresponsible person who would operate tractor this winter bladeing snow while I am absent until may of 2009.
---the circumstance is a result of procrastination, poor choices-limited budget for now.
thanks for the perspective here, i would have little without this website.

 

[glenncooner]

december 6 update--went to mechanic shop,spoke with Him , I pretty much reinterated my concerns based what i learned here on Yesterdays Tractors (;without trying to be an overnight genius mechanic.)
---now i know,He"s a good man,did not know before. He has allowed we drop the oil pan, take a look and see what We have and if there is anything obvious we can fix readily-or just decide what to do.
---also, looking around for snow plow contractor.
thanks for the perspective, feedback of any kind appreciated.