445 Blowing Smoke II

[Ranger3148]

Hey everybody--great site!

Where I work we have a 445 with 784 hours on it. New in 99. I had someone running this tractor for 6 hours the other day with the rotary broom on it cleaning up our paved walking trails. The operator calls me and says the low oil pressure light is on. I tell them to shut it down and check the oil. He claims the oil is low and I direct them to where the oil is kept in the garage. I walk up to the guy and see 3 empty quarts of JD oil on the ground next to the tractor!! This engine only holds 1.6 total quarts. I check the dipstick and it is packed full of oil. I drain 1 quart, then 2 quarts and a 3rd to get it back down on the stick between add and full. I try the engine and it won't turn over (insert cusses here).

Load it up and take to the local JD shop. They said the engine is shot and want $3,400 for a new Kawasaki engine with 2 year warranty. Tractor runs fine with no knocking but smokes like a D-day invasion. Any suggestions?

 

[Kubota 2350]

Before I'd spend $3400.00 on it, I'd tear into it myself, at this point what do you have to loose?
Maybe let it run awhile and see if the smoke clears up, after all it was 3 qt's overfull.

 

[Rob-D]

Check the compression, you may have toasted the rings. But like Kubota says let it settle awhile to see if it stops smoking before you get drastic.

Rob

 

[beenthere]

........
Where I work we have a 445 with 784 hours on it. New in 99. I had someone running this tractor for 6 hours the other day with the rotary broom on it cleaning up our paved walking trails. The operator calls me and says the low oil pressure light is on. I tell them to shut it down and check the oil. He claims the oil is low and I direct them to where the oil is kept in the garage. I walk up to the guy and see 3 empty quarts of JD oil on the ground next to the tractor!! This engine only holds 1.6 total quarts. I check the dipstick and it is packed full of oil. I drain 1 quart, then 2 quarts and a 3rd to get it back down on the stick between add and full. I try the engine and it won't turn over (insert cusses here).

Load it up and take to the local JD shop. They said the engine is shot and want $3,400 for a new Kawasaki engine with 2 year warranty. Tractor runs fine with no knocking but smokes like a D-day invasion. Any suggestions?

What did it take to get it started? i.e. "won't turn over" to "runs fine with no knocking" ?

What did JD shop say was the reason for new engine? compression...?? or something else.

If it runs, and its going to be in someone elses hands to run it, I'd leave it alone too. Scary thought to depend on others to keep something with the right amount of oil in it. Apparently don't check before starting each day. ??

 

[Ranger3148]

Not sure what it took to start. I couldn't get it to turn over and then took it to JD shop. I called them after a week and they said it was running but burning a lot of smoke. JD claims the engine has internal damage but no specifics. I paid their diagnostic fee and picked it up. The smoke is obvious oil burning because of the smell. Oil is crystal clear with no gas or water in it.

This particular tractor is only used sporatically-hence the low numbers for 10+ years old. It is only used for items we don't contract out such as sweeping, pulling a trailer, mowing walking paths and snow removal on paved walking paths with a blade and blower.

When I get a chance, I'm going to see if the crankcase breather tube to the intake manifold is full of oil--keep your fingers crossed.