2515h Valve Lash

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

Can anyone confirm the valve lash for a 2515 is .012" (.3mm). That is what the service manual for a 3015 and 3515 says. I just want to make sure that is right. I checked mine today. (26hrs) and they are less than .008". Too tight I think. I did run it, but I allowed it 3-4 hours to cool before checking. Here is a video I made of the process. It's been a long time since I have adjusted any valves so, ya'll please check my work. I certainly don't want to mess something up.

Valve Adjust - YouTube

K5lwq · Sep 7, 2020

Your procedure looks correct. My question is why did you decide the valves needed adjustment at 26hrs? Normally that would be done at 500 to 600hrs. Are you noticing a performance issue?

ptsg · Sep 7, 2020

I've been following that discussion on the Branson group and also here on the forum. Did it make any difference on that noise you were trying to figure out?

I've took a closer look at mine and it does have the same noise along with the other one from the clutch.

As far as the valve lash, I would say it should be the same. The engine is the A1700 just with different settings on the injection pump and maybe smaller injectors.

K5lwq · Sep 7, 2020

My bad I forgot you were chasing that noise.

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

ptsg. Unfortunately the noise is still there.

ptsg · Sep 7, 2020

nosaj2 said:
ptsg. Unfortunately the noise is still there.

I was adjusting the belt tension on mine the other day. I had the intention of running it without the belt on, to rule out the alternator and water pump but then got distracted by something else and didn't test without the belt. I don't think it would make a difference either.

Sometimes I wonder if it's the governor inside the injection pump.

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

I find it a little disconcerting that the valves where so tight. I was hoping someone would give me a reasonable explanation as to why maybe they were supposed to be. I ran it up to operating temp after finishing yesterday. I'm going to recheck them first thing this morning after sitting all night.

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

ptsg. I was originally thinking it may bay related to the fuel system also. It is too erratic to be inside the engine. I just need a reasonable explanation and I can let it go. But just telling me to "run it until it breaks" does not work for me. I'm a technician by trade and when something doesn't seem right, I need to know why.

ptsg · Sep 7, 2020

nosaj2 said:
ptsg. I was originally thinking it may bay related to the fuel system also. It is too erratic to be inside the engine. I just need a reasonable explanation and I can let it go. But just telling me to "run it until it breaks" does not work for me. I'm a technician by trade and when something doesn't seem right, I need to know why.

I'm curious as well. Wonder if the A2000 or A2300 engines with 4 cylinders makes the same noise?

K5lwq · Sep 7, 2020

I have never noticed that sound on mine. I will try to listen closely outside the cab and see what I hear.

ptsg · Sep 7, 2020

K5lwq said:
I have never noticed that sound on mine. I will try to listen closely outside the cab and see what I hear.

Yeah, at first I though mine was just the clutch noise, which is still there. But the other day, I locked the clutch pedal down with the little hook the tractor has, set the tractor at 2000+ RPM, lift the hood and while looked around, I noticed the same noise. So I do have two different, yet similar, noises going on.

K5lwq · Sep 7, 2020

Okay, I just listened to mine. When I first turn the key on I can hear the electric lift pump. I started the tractor and let it come up to temperature and did not hear the noise. I ran it up to 2000 RPMs and all I could hear was a very happy Diesel engine. I brought it up to 2500 RPM and still a sweet sounding machine but no noise. I tried several other settings and the same result. I just do not have the noise you guys are hearing.

Or I am too old to hear anymore. Mine is the A2300 4 cylinder so maybe it is limited to the A2000?

ptsg · Sep 7, 2020

K5lwq said:
Okay, I just listened to mine. When I first turn the key on I can hear the electric lift pump. I started the tractor and let it come up to temperature and did not hear the noise. I ran it up to 2000 RPMs and all I could hear was a very happy Diesel engine. I brought it up to 2500 RPM and still a sweet sounding machine but no noise. I tried several other settings and the same result. I just do not have the noise you guys are hearing.

Or I am too old to hear anymore. Mine is the A2300 4 cylinder so maybe it is limited to the A2000?

That's good though.

Ours is a A1700. Must be a 3 cylinder thing.

Here is video with the noise we're discussing. I was try to incorporate the video here, without having to click the link but it's not working right.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10217682286957583

K5lwq · Sep 7, 2020

I can definitely hear it in that video but not on mine. It almost sounds like a loose fastener. It seams to change in frequency some in that clip. Has anyone tried to find it using a stethoscope to isolate where it is coming from?

ericm979 · Sep 7, 2020

Also check the play of the rockers along the shaft. I've yet to look at the valve train on mine but with some engines it's possible to have excess play there.

The A2000 in my 3725 does make some clattering noise at various rpms, which changes with engine temp. I've assumed that it's just the diesel noise that indirect injection is known for.

Cougsfan · Sep 7, 2020

Several comments. If the valves are adjusted slightly too tight, I wouldn't think that would be a source of noise. .008" on a engine designed for .012" is tight, but not alarmingly so. Perhaps if you let the engine cool overnight they would be closer to being in spec.

I did not pick up on the fact if both of your tractors have hydrostatic or geared transmissions. I know Pedro's is geared. If it only occurs in the geared, I'd suspect something in the clutch. I have seen clutches make noise in the past that are hard to isolate and identify. Mine is a hydrostatic A2300 and I don't here that noise.

Finally, how do you guys keep your engines so clean? Should I be spending my spare time washing my engine.

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

ok so I found out that what I thought was the TDC mark for 1 was not. But I did not miss it by much. If you look at the video

, you will the the arrow and the "nib" that I marked with a paint pin. That is nothing apparently. Maybe a paint drip. But just below it you will see a line and a number "1" next to it. That is TDC for Cylinder 1. There are by the way two other marks for TDC for cyl 2 & 3. But the tech manual has you orintate the engine for cyl 1 TDC for 4 valves and 360 degrees for the other 2. Anyway, I will readjust and report back.

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

Well never mind apparently that 1 degree of rotation did not effect the valve lash that much. Cyl 1 was looser than the rest but not by much. Maybe .002" of the rest.

nosaj2 · Sep 7, 2020

Cougsfan said:
Several comments. If the valves are adjusted slightly too tight, I wouldn't think that would be a source of noise. .008" on a engine designed for .012" is tight, but not alarmingly so. Perhaps if you let the engine cool overnight they would be closer to being in spec.

I did not pick up on the fact if both of your tractors have hydrostatic or geared transmissions. I know Pedro's is geared. If it only occurs in the geared, I'd suspect something in the clutch. I have seen clutches make noise in the past that are hard to isolate and identify. Mine is a hydrostatic A2300 and I don't here that noise.

Finally, how do you guys keep your engines so clean? Should I be spending my spare time washing my engine.

I'm starting to think maybe it is a 3 cyl thing. I did let it cool over night and check them. They hadn't moved over night. It is happening with HST and Gear drive. Mine is HST. FB group has a 2515 gear drive doing the same thing. Mine is clean because it is new. Only 26 hrs on it.